aftertale

English

Etymology

From Middle English aftertale, equivalent to after- +‎ tale. Cognate with Middle Dutch achtertale, achtertaele.

Noun

aftertale (plural aftertales)

  1. Evil talk; slander; defamation.
    • 1999, James Joyce, Finnegans Wake:
      Our cad's bit of strife (knee Bareniece Maxwelton) with a quick ear for spittoons (as the aftertale hath it) […]
  2. A postscript added to the end of a story.
  3. A postscript added where a story should end.

Antonyms
  • (antonym(s) of “postscript”): foretale
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