Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Tidings \Ti"dings\, n. pl. [OE. tidinge, ti?inge, tidinde, from
   or influenced by Icel. t[=i]?indi; akin to Dan. tidende, Sw.
   tidning, G. zeung, AS. t[=i]dan to happen, E. betide, tide.
   See {Tide}, v. i. & n.]
   Account of what has taken place, and was not before known;
   news.

         I shall make my master glad with these tidings. --Shak.

         Full well the busy whisper, circling round, Conveyed
         the dismal tidings when he frowned.      --Goldsmith.

   Note: Although tidings is plural in form, it has been used
         also as a singular. By Shakespeare it was used
         indiscriminately as a singular or plural.

               Now near the tidings of our comfort is. --Shak.

               Tidings to the contrary Are brought your eyes.
                                                  --Shak.

   Syn: News; advice; information; intelligence.

   Usage: {Tidings}, {News}. The term news denotes recent
          intelligence from any quarter; the term tidings
          denotes intelligence expected from a particular
          quarter, showing what has there betided. We may be
          indifferent as to news, but are always more or less
          interested in tidings. We read the news daily; we wait
          for tidings respecting an absent friend or an
          impending battle. We may be curious to hear the news;
          we are always anxious for tidings.

                Evil news rides post, while good news baits.
                                                  --Milton.

                What tidings dost thou bring?     --Addison.

Source : WordNet®

tidings
     n : new information about specific and timely events; "they
         awaited news of the outcome" [syn: {news}, {intelligence},
          {word}]