had been hissing

• past perfect progressive

  past perfect progressive

  Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.

  of hiss.
  hiss

  verb (used without object)

  to make or emit a sharp sound like that of the letter s prolonged, as a snake does, or as steam does when forced under pressure through a small opening.

Related Words

• boo
• hoot
• jeer
• seethe
• shout down
• spit
• wheeze
• whirr
• whisper
• whistle