Category:Hiss

Hiss. v. i. [imp. & p. p. Hissed; p. pr. & vb. n. Hissing.] Etym: [AS. hysian; prob. of imitative originhissen, OD. hisschen.]

1. To make with the mouth a prolonged sound like that of the letter s, by driving the breath between the tongue and the teeth; to make with the mouth a sound like that made by a goose or a snake when angered; esp., to make such a sound as an expression of hatred, passion, or disapproval. The merchants among the people shall hiss at thee. Ezekiel 27:36.

2. To make a similar noise by any means; to pass with a sibilant sound; as, the arrow hissed as it flew. Shod with steel, We hissed along the polished ice. Wordsworth.

hiss Hiss, v. t.

1. To condemn or express contempt for by hissing. If the tag-rag people did not clap him and hiss him, according as he pleased and displeased them. Shak. Malcolm. What is the newest grief Ros. That of an hour's age doth hiss the speaker. Shak.

2. To utter with a hissing sound. The long-necked geese of the world that are ever hissing dispraise. Tennyson.

hiss Hiss, n.

1. A prolonged sound like that letter s, made by forcing out the breath between the tongue and teeth, esp. as a token of disapprobation or contempt. "Hiss" implies audible friction of breath consonants. H. Sweet. A dismal, universal hiss, the sound Of public scorn. Milton.

2. Any sound resembling that above described; as: (a) The noise made by a serpent. But hiss for hiss returned with forked tongue. Milton.

(b) The note of a goose when irritated. (c) The noise made by steam escaping through a narrow orifice, or by water falling on a hot stove.

- ---excerpt from the Illustrated Bible Dictionary

Hiss - To express contempt (Job 27:23). The destruction of the temple is thus spoken of (1 Kings 9:8). Zechariah (Zechariah 10:8) speaks of the Lord gathering the house of Judah as it were with a hiss: "I will hiss for them." This expression may be "derived from the noise made to attract bees in hiving, or from the sound naturally made to attract a person's attention."