round
Preserved but no longer current.
Meaning · English
To tell tales, to SPLIT, which see; "to ROUND on a man," to swear to him as being the person, &c. Synonymous with BUFF, which see. Also to turn round upon and abuse or rate. Shakspeare has ROUNDING, whispering.
Era: ca. 1874 (Victorian)
Where it’s used:
Origin
British & Irish English
Sources & notes
Historical definition reproduced from Hotten’s The Slang Dictionary (1874, public domain; Project Gutenberg #42108, retrieved 2026-07-31). Reflects the attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “round” mean?
To tell tales, to SPLIT, which see; "to ROUND on a man," to swear to him as being the person, &c. Synonymous with BUFF, which see. Also to turn round upon and abuse or rate. Shakspeare has ROUNDING, whispering.
Is “round” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.