WHISPERING • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Whispering

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/wˈɪspərɪŋ/ /hwˈɪspərɪŋ/ Listen

verb

Whisper v. t.

To utter in a low and nonvocal tone; to say under the breath; hence, to mention privately and confidentially, or in a whisper. "They might buzz and whisper it one to another."

To address in a whisper, or low voice. (Archaic) "And whisper one another in the ear." "Where gentlest breezes whisper souls distressed."

To prompt secretly or cautiously; to inform privately. (Obs.) "He came to whisper Wolsey."

Whisper v. i. (past & past part. whispered; pres. part. whispering)

To speak softly, or under the breath, so as to be heard only by one near at hand; to utter words without sonant breath; to talk without that vibration in the larynx which gives sonorous, or vocal, sound. See Whisper, n.

To make a low, sibilant sound or noise. "The hollow, whispering breeze."

To speak with suspicion, or timorous caution; to converse in whispers, as in secret plotting. "All that hate me whisper together against me."

adjective

Whispering adj. A. & n. from Whisper. v. t.

Whispering gallery, or Whispering dome, one of such a form that sounds produced in certain parts of it are concentrated by reflection from the walls to another part, so that whispers or feeble sounds are audible at a much greater distance than under ordinary circumstances. The dome of the U. S. capitol building is one example.

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Etymology of 'Whispering'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Whispering" Quotes from Famous Books

... hark! at the door were shuffling steps and voices whispering; and presently there came a gentle tap—repeated once or twice. Ser Zenobio rose to see what was passing outside his house. Peering into the gloom he saw two figures—one a girl's—and a voice he ...

— The Tragedies of the Medici • Edgcumbe Staley

... years ago I had a gentleman under my charge who would attempt to execute any order given him while he was asleep by a person whispering into his ear. Thus, if told in this way to shout, he shouted as loud as he could; if ordered to get up, he at once jumped from the bed; if directed to repeat certain words, he said them, and ...

— Scientific American Supplement, No. 441, June 14, 1884. • Various

... Fogarty. "An' ye'll remimber, if anny wan asks ye, that I ixprissed me contrition for arristin' Snooksy. Whist!" he said, putting his hand alongside his mouth and whispering: "Some wan wanted me t' search th' house here t' see did Snooksy have sivin bottles iv beer an' a silver beer-opener ...

— Philo Gubb Correspondence-School Detective • Ellis Parker Butler

... man's hand and whispering words of passionate sympathy, while Hal got up and paced the tiny attic, all ablaze with anger. He resolved suddenly that he would not go back to Western City; he would stay here, and get an honest lawyer to come, and ...

— King Coal - A Novel • Upton Sinclair

... trees, Humming-birds and honey-bees; For my sport the squirrel played, Plied the snouted mole his spade; For my taste the blackberry cone Purpled over hedge and stone; Laughed the brook for my delight Through the day and through the night, Whispering at the garden wall, Talked with me from fall to fall; Mine the sand-rimmed pickerel pend, Mine the walnut slopes beyond, Mine, on bending orchard ...

— Home Life of Great Authors • Hattie Tyng Griswold

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