hiss
noun
No English definition recorded for this entry.
L16921 on Wikidata ↗verb
- to utter with a hiss
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /hɪs/
noun
Etymology: From Middle English hissen, probably of onomatopoeic origin (compare Arabic هَسْهَسَ (hashasa)). Compare Middle Dutch hissen, hisschen (“to chase away, shoo”), Middle Low German hissen (“to chase, hound, incite”).
- A sibilant sound, such as that made by a snake or escaping steam; an unvoiced fricative.
“Their music frightful as the serpent’s hiss, And boding screech-owls make the concert full!”
“[…] over head the dismal hiss Of fiery Darts in flaming volies flew,”
- An expression of disapproval made using such a sound.
“[…] in open disputations ye haue bene openly conuict, ye haue bene openly driuen out of the schole with hisses […]”
“1716, Joseph Addison, The Free-Holder, 16 April, 1716, London: D. Midwinter and J. Tonson, pp. 203-204, The Actors, in the midst of an innocent old Play, are often startled with unexpected Claps or Hisses; and do not know whether they have been talking like good Subjects, or have spoken Treason.”
verb
Etymology: From Middle English hissen, probably of onomatopoeic origin (compare Arabic هَسْهَسَ (hashasa)). Compare Middle Dutch hissen, hisschen (“to chase away, shoo”), Middle Low German hissen (“to chase, hound, incite”).
- To make a hiss, a sibilant sound of air escaping.
“As I started to poke it, the snake hissed at me.”
“The poor cat hissed as it backed away from the approaching man.”
- To call someone by hissing.
“I stepped out of my tent in Marrakech one night to get a bar of candy and caught your dose of clap when that Wac I never even saw before hissed me into the bushes.”
- To condemn or express contempt (for someone or something) by hissing.
“The crowd booed and hissed her off the stage.”
“If the tag-rag people did not clap him and hiss him, according as he pleased and displeased them, as they use to do the players in the theatre, I am no true man.”
- To utter (something) with a hissing sound.
“Lies oft o’erthrown with ceaseless Venom spread, Still hiss out Scandal from their Hydra Head,”
“the long-necked geese of the world that are ever hissing dispraise […]”
- To move with a hissing sound.
“The arrow hissed through the air.”
“The Troops of Troy recede with sudden Fear, While the swift Javelin hiss’d along in Air.”
- To emit or eject (something) with a hissing sound.
“The man in white pyjamas hissed soda into his glass.”
“The radiator bubbled and hissed steam.”
- To whisper, especially angrily or urgently.
“"Are you quite sure of it," she hissed into his ear, "Mr Fang, Junior?"”
“"Oh please," she said, "don't let him see us!" I wouldn't let her push me away. "Stop!" she hissed. "He'll see us!"”