Enter a clue or pattern or both:
The Clue
Subject of some gossip (8 letter answer)
The Answer
MISTRESS
Tags
Notes
The answer MISTRESS is rarely seen, appearing only about once every 2400 puzzles.
Related Clues
The other woman
Basis of a scandal, maybe
Many a tryst participant
Marvell's was coy
Woman who heads a household
Definition
MISTRESS as a noun:
1. (mistress, kept woman, fancy woman) = an adulterous woman; a woman who has an ongoing extramarital sexual relationship with a man
2. (schoolmarm, schoolma'am, schoolmistress, mistress) = a woman schoolteacher (especially one regarded as strict)
3. a woman master who directs the work of others