Definition of "rumour"

Rumour had it (though not proved) that she descended from the house of the lords Talbot de Malahide

1922 February, James Joyce, “[Episode 16]”, in Ulysses, Paris: Shakespeare and Company, […]

There were rumours, new rumours every morning, delightful and outrageous rumours, so that the lumps in the porridge were swallowed without comment and the fish-cakes were eaten without contumely.

1922, Michael Arlen, “1/1/2”, in “Piracy”: A Romantic Chronicle of These Days‎

Dame Rumour outstrides me yet again.

1991, Stephen Fry, The Liar, London: Heinemann, page 26

I myself gave support to the summoning of the Estates General ... as merely mistaken . Similarly it might be held that Paradise originated in a rumour invented in hell to make society the more interesting . ' ' We need a saviour .

1969, Peter Vansittart, Pastimes of a Red Summer: A Novel‎, Owen, page 140

Prithee, listen well; / I heard a bustling rumour like a fray, / And the wind brings it from the Capitol.

1599 (first performance), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Iulius Cæsar”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act II, scene iv], page 18

Two of the four main routes over the Border were rumoured to be threatened with withdrawal of, or heavy cuts in, passenger services.

1961 November, “Talking of Trains: Drastic cuts in Scotland?”, in Trains Illustrated, page 644