hiss

Meanings

Noun

• A sibilant sound, such as that made by a snake or escaping steam; an unvoiced fricative.
• An expression of disapproval made using such a sound.

Verb

• To make a hissing sound.
• To condemn or express contempt (for someone or something) by hissing.
• To utter (something) with a hissing sound.
• To move with a hissing sound.
• To emit or eject (something) with a hissing sound.
• To whisper, especially angrily or urgently.

Origin

• From Middle English hissen, probably of onomatopoeic origin. Compare Middle Dutch hissen, hisschen.