hiss
[ his ]
/ hɪs /
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.
to express disapproval or contempt by making this sound: The audience hissed when the actor forgot his lines.
verb (used with object)
to express disapproval of by hissing: The audience hissed the controversial play.
to silence or drive away by hissing (usually followed by away, down, etc.): They hissed down the author when he tried to speak.
to utter with a hiss.
noun
a hissing sound, especially one made in disapproval.
Words nearby hiss
hispano-, hispanophile, hispanophobe, hispid, hispidulous, hiss, hiss, alger, hissarlik, hisself, hissing, hissy
Origin of hiss
1350–1400; Middle English hissen; probably imitative; compare Old English hyscan to jeer at, rail (derivative of husc jeering; cognate with Old Saxon, Old High German hosc)
OTHER WORDS FROM hiss
hiss·er, nounhiss·ing·ly, adverbout·hiss, verb (used with object)un·hissed, adjectiveDefinition for hiss (2 of 2)
Hiss
[ his ]
/ hɪs /
noun
Alger,1904–96, U.S. public official, accused of espionage 1948 and imprisoned for perjury 1950–54.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for hiss
British Dictionary definitions for hiss (1 of 2)
hiss
/ (hɪs) /
noun
a voiceless fricative sound like that of a prolonged s
such a sound uttered as an exclamation of derision, contempt, etc, esp by an audience or crowd
electronics receiver noise with a continuous spectrum, caused by thermal agitation, shot noise, etc
interjection
an exclamation of derision or disapproval
verb
Derived forms of hiss
hisser, nounWord Origin for hiss
C14: of imitative origin
British Dictionary definitions for hiss (2 of 2)
Hiss
/ (hɪs) /
noun
Alger. 1904–96, US government official: imprisoned (1950–54) for perjury in connection with alleged espionage activities
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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