whist

¹

[ wist, hwist ]

noun

1. a card game, an early form of bridge, but without bidding.

whist

²

[ hwist, wist ]

interjection

1. hush! silence! be still!

adjective

1. hushed; silent; still.

noun

1. Chiefly Irish. silence:

   Hold your whist.

verb (used without object)

1. British Dialect. to be or become silent.

verb (used with object)

1. British Dialect. to silence.

whist

¹

/ wɪst /

noun

1. a card game for four in which the two sides try to win the balance of the 13 tricks: forerunner of bridge

whist

²

/ hwist /

interjection

1. See whisht
   a variant of whisht

Word History and Origins

Origin of whist¹

1655–65; earlier whisk, perhaps identical with whisk, though sense relationship uncertain

Origin of whist²

1350–1400, Middle English; imitative

Word History and Origins

Origin of whist¹

C17: perhaps changed from whisk , referring to the sweeping up or whisking up of the tricks

Example Sentences

One whist table only is at work; General Pepper and three old hands of the same kidney are hard at it.

From Project Gutenberg

The older people had always played bzique or whist, but rather somnolently of an evening.

From Project Gutenberg

Honours are reckoned differently from whist, and on a scale which is somewhat involved.

From Project Gutenberg

I am vastly complaisant, amuse myself in Routes and private parties and play shilling Whist with the most edifying resignation.

From Project Gutenberg

It is not advisable to adopt any of the recent whist methods of giving information.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• muted
• peaceful
• reticent
• silent
• soft