psithurism

[sith-yuh-riz-uhm]

noun

1. a rustling or whispering sound, such as leaves in the wind; susurration.

   Standing in the glade I heard a quiet psithurism, just straddling the line between music and noise.

Word History and Origins

Origin of psithurism¹

First recorded in 1870–75; from Greek psithýrisma, from psithyrízein “to whisper,” from psíthyros “whispering”

Example Sentences

“Psithurism,” Miles said, looking up at the forest around us.

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“Psithurism. It’s a low whispering sound, like wind in leaves.”

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