HISS • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Hiss

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noun

Hiss n.

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." "A dismal, universal hiss, the sound Of public scorn."

Any sound resembling that above described; as:

(a)

The noise made by a serpent. "But hiss for hiss returned with forked tongue."

(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.

verb

Hiss v. t.

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." "Malcolm. What is the newest grief? Ros. That of an hour's age doth hiss the speaker."

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

Hiss v. i. (past & past part. hissed; pres. part. hissing)

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."

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."

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Etymology of 'Hiss'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Hiss" Quotes from Famous Books

... being somewhat encumbered by his costume, judged it wisdom to stop; and then taking the fiery skull in its flaming hands, shied it with such dexterity, that it hit Bully Tom in the middle of his back, and falling on to the wet ground, went out with a hiss. This blow was an unexpected shock to the Bully, who thought the ghost must have come up to him with supernatural rapidity, and falling on his knees in the mud, began to ...

— Melchior's Dream and Other Tales • Juliana Horatia Ewing

... on in the evening, I guess," said he, "and Marm Pugwash is as onsartain in her temper as a mornin' in April; it's all sunshine or all clouds with her, and if she's in one of her tantrums, she'll stretch out her neck and hiss, like a goose with a flock of goslins. I wonder what on airth Pugwash was a-thinkin' on, when he signed articles of partnership with that 'ere woman; she's not a bad-lookin' piece of furniture neither, and it's a proper pity sich a clever woman should carry such a stiff upper lip—she ...

— The Clockmaker • Thomas Chandler Haliburton

... voice—but this was only "confusion worse confounded"—if he could have spoken the amazed prince might with great justice have said, "So thanks to all at once"—but his utterance was gone "vox faucibus haesit"—a hiss presently broke out in the pit, the clamor soon became general, and the curtain went down, ...

— The Mirror of Taste, and Dramatic Censor - Volume I, Number 1 • Stephen Cullen Carpenter

... it far doth glow Beneath him on the rocks! Alas, in vain He seeks a path to bring it back again. It moves! snatched by a dal-khu's hand it flies Away within the gloom, then falling dies Within those waters black with a loud hiss That breaks the silence of ...

— Babylonian and Assyrian Literature • Anonymous

... silence and in gloom, The dreary pageant labored, Till it reached the house of doom. Then first a woman's voice was heard In jeer and laughter loud, And an angry cry and hiss arose From the heart of the tossing crowd; Then, as the Graeme looked upwards, He saw the ugly smile Of him who sold his king ...

— Library Of The World's Best Literature, Ancient And Modern, Vol 3 • Various

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