# hiss

Pronunciation: say "HIS" /hɪs/

## Noun

1. A sibilant sound, like that made by a snake or escaping steam.
   - Simple: A soft 'sss' sound, like the noise a snake or escaping steam makes.
   - _The cornered cat answered the dog with a furious hiss._
   - _A faint hiss from the speakers told us the recording had begun._
5. A sibilant sound made to show disapproval or contempt for someone or something.
   - Simple: A sharp 'sss' sound that people make to show they do not like something.
   - _A loud hiss rose from the gallery when the senator finished speaking._
   - _The villain's entrance drew hisses from every corner of the theater._

## Verb

2. To make a sharp sibilant sound like a snake or escaping air, or to give off steam or gas with such a sound.
   - Simple: To make a long 'sss' sound, like a snake or steam escaping.
   - _Geese hiss to warn intruders away from their nests._
   - _The tire hissed as the air slowly leaked out._
3. To say something in a sharp, sibilant whisper, especially angrily or urgently.
   - Simple: To say something in a quick, angry, or urgent whisper.
   - _"Don't move," she hissed, pulling him into the shadows._
   - _Leaning across the table, he began to hiss that they had to leave before anyone noticed them._
4. To condemn someone or something, or express contempt, by making a hissing sound.
   - Simple: To show that you dislike someone by making a sharp 'sss' sound at them.
   - _The audience hissed the politician off the stage._
   - _Theatergoers hiss whenever the traitor appears in the second act._
6. To travel through the air or across a surface while producing a hissing sound.
   - Simple: To move while making a soft 'sss' sound.
   - _The bullet hissed past his ear and struck the wall._
   - _Sparks hiss off the grinding wheel and scatter on the floor._
7. To summon or get the attention of someone by making a hissing sound.
   - Simple: To get someone's attention by making a sharp 'sss' sound.
   - _Hiding behind the curtain, the stage manager hissed at the young actor until he finally looked over._
   - _In the crowded market, vendors hiss at passing tourists and wave them over to see their rugs._

## Origin

The Middle English verb hissen probably began as an imitation of the sound itself. Words that can be compared with it are Middle Dutch hissen, "to shoo or chase away," and Middle Low German hissen, which meant to hound, chase or incite.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/hiss (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).