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hiss

   Also found in: Acronyms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.04 sec.
hiss  (hs)
n.
1. A sharp sibilant sound similar to a sustained s.
2. An expression of disapproval, contempt, or dissatisfaction conveyed by use of this sound.
v. hissed, hiss·ing, hiss·es
v.intr.
To make a hiss: The audience booed and hissed. The teakettle hissed on the stove.
v.tr.
1. To utter with a hiss:
2. To express (a negative view or reaction) by uttering a hiss: The audience hissed its displeasure.

[Middle English hissen, to hiss, of imitative origin.]

hisser n.

hiss
Noun
1. a sound like that of a prolonged s
2. such a sound as an expression of dislike or disapproval
Verb
1. to utter a hiss
2. to express with a hiss: she hissed the name
3. to show dislike or disapproval towards (a speaker or performer) by hissing [imitative]
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.hiss - a fricative sound (especially as an expression of disapproval); "the performers could not be heard over the hissing of the audience"
noise - sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound); "he enjoyed the street noises"; "they heard indistinct noises of people talking"; "during the firework display that ended the gala the noise reached 98 decibels"
2.hisshiss - a cry or noise made to express displeasure or contempt
cry, outcry, shout, vociferation, yell, call - a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition; "the speaker was interrupted by loud cries from the rear of the audience"
Verb1.hiss - make a sharp hissing sound, as if to show disapproval
let loose, let out, utter, emit - express audibly; utter sounds (not necessarily words); "She let out a big heavy sigh"; "He uttered strange sounds that nobody could understand"
2.hiss - move with a whooshing sound
go, locomote, move, travel - change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically; "How fast does your new car go?"; "We travelled from Rome to Naples by bus"; "The policemen went from door to door looking for the suspect"; "The soldiers moved towards the city in an attempt to take it before night fell"; "news travelled fast"
3.hiss - express or utter with a hiss
mouth, speak, talk, verbalise, verbalize, utter - express in speech; "She talks a lot of nonsense"; "This depressed patient does not verbalize"
4.hiss - show displeasure, as after a performance or speech
condemn - declare or judge unfit for use or habitation; "The building was condemned by the inspector"

hiss
Translations
Spanish hiss [hɪs] visisear;
(in protest) → silbar
nsiseo; silbido

French hiss [hɪs] visiffler
nsifflement m

German hiss [hɪs] vizischen;
(cat) → fauchen
nZischen nt;
(of cat) → Fauchen nt

Italian hiss [hɪs] vifischiare; [cat, snake] → sibilare

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? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
Men often applaud an imitation and hiss the real thing.
She was rather a favorite with `old Davis', as, of course, he was called, and it's my private belief that he would have broken his word if the indignation of one irrepressible young lady had not found vent in a hiss.
At that instant a single rifle-shot was heard, away to the front, beyond the skirmish-line, followed, almost attended, by the savage hiss of an approaching bullet which passing through the line, struck audibly, punctuating as with a full stop the captain's exclamation, "What the devil does it mean?
 
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