GRAPEVINE

Definition of GRAPEVINE

GRAPEVINE Noun and Verb

Grapevine is both a noun and a verb with meanings related to the plant and informal communication. It can refer to the physical plant or to the informal network of spreading information or rumors.

GRAPEVINE as a noun

Plant: In a botanical context, grapevine refers to the plant species known for producing grapes. For example, “The vineyard was full of grapevines that would soon bear fruit,” indicates the plant used in viticulture.

Informal Communication Network: Grapevine can also denote an informal network through which information or rumors are spread, often by word of mouth. For instance, “He heard about the company merger through the grapevine before the official announcement,” refers to the informal way information circulates within a group or community.

Cultivation of Grapevines: Grapevine in agriculture refers to the cultivation of the plant for producing grapes, either for eating or for winemaking. For example, “The region is known for its grapevines that produce high-quality wine,” highlights its agricultural significance.

Grapevine Varieties: Different grapevine varieties are cultivated for their specific characteristics and uses. For instance, “There are many grapevine varieties, each suited for different climates and wine styles,” reflects the diversity within the plant species.

Informal Information Channels: Grapevine as a metaphor for informal communication channels highlights how rumors or news spread among people. For example, “The grapevine was abuzz with speculation about the new CEO’s plans,” indicates informal, often unofficial, communication.

Office Grapevine: In organizational settings, grapevine refers to the informal network of communication among employees. For instance, “The office grapevine can often spread news faster than official channels,” reflects its role in workplace communication.

GRAPEVINE as a verb

To Spread Information Informally: As a verb, grapevine means to spread information or rumors informally. For example, “The news about the upcoming project was grapevined through the team before it was officially announced,” describes the process of informal communication.

To Share Rumors: Grapevine as a verb can involve sharing rumors or speculative information. For instance, “They grapevined the story of their vacation plans to their friends,” refers to the informal sharing of personal or speculative information.

Grapevine Communication: In media or communication contexts, grapevine refers to how information or news is spread outside formal channels. For example, “The grapevine often picks up and spreads news before it reaches the press,” highlights its role in disseminating information.

In summary, grapevine is both a noun and a verb with meanings related to the plant and informal communication. As a noun, it refers to the grape-producing plant or to an informal network of spreading information. As a verb, it means to spread information or rumors informally. Understanding grapevine helps in recognizing its agricultural significance and its role in informal communication networks.

Examples of GRAPEVINE in a sentence

GRAPEVINE as a noun in a sentence

• The news about the company’s merger quickly spread through the grapevine.
• She heard about the promotion through the office grapevine before it was officially announced.
• The rumor mill, or grapevine, often gets the details wrong.
• They were surprised by the accuracy of the information circulating through the grapevine.
• The grapevine in the neighborhood was buzzing with news about the upcoming block party.
• He tried to trace the origin of the rumor that had traveled through the grapevine.
• The grapevine revealed that a major change was coming to the company’s leadership.
• Despite the official silence, the grapevine was full of speculation about the project.

GRAPEVINE as a verb in a sentence

• They decided to grapevine their concerns to ensure the management was aware of the issues.
• She tried to grapevine the details of the new policy before the official announcement.
• It’s common for employees to grapevine information rather than waiting for formal communication.
• They were able to grapevine the schedule changes through informal channels.
• He preferred to grapevine the news rather than rely on official reports.
• The manager asked the team to stop grapevining and focus on the task at hand.
• They used social media to grapevine the event details to a wider audience.
• She was careful not to grapevine confidential information to avoid spreading rumors.

Origin of GRAPEVINE

The term grapevine has its origins in Old English and Latin, evolving through various stages to describe a type of plant as well as a metaphor for informal communication.

• Latin:
  • Vitis (vine, grapevine)
  • The Latin term vitis refers to the vine plant, specifically the grapevine. It is the source of the concept of a plant that produces grapes.
• Old English:
  • Winem (vine, grapevine)
  • In Old English, the term related to vines or grapevines was winem, reflecting the same concept as in Latin. This term was used to describe the plant that produces grapes.
• Middle English:
  • Grapevine (the vine plant producing grapes)
  • By Middle English, the term grapevine was used to denote the plant that produces grapes. It evolved directly from the Old English usage.
• Modern English:
  • Grapevine (a plant that produces grapes; also a metaphor for informal communication)
  • In Modern English, grapevine refers to the actual plant that bears grapes. Additionally, the term is used metaphorically to describe informal or unofficial channels of communication, as in “hearing it through the grapevine,” reflecting the idea of information spreading informally.

The term grapevine has evolved from its Latin and Old English roots, retaining its core meanings related to the vine plant and expanding to include metaphorical usage in Modern English.