[whis.tle] n, often attrib [ME, fr. OE hwistle; akin to ON hvisla to whisper] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a small wind instrument in which sound is produced by the forcible passage of breath through a slit in a short tube "police ~" b: a device through which air or steam is forced into a cavity or against a thin edge to produce a loud sound "a factory ~"
2. a: a shrill clear sound produced by forcing breath out or air in through the puckered lips b: the sound produced by a whistle c: a signal given by or as if by whistling
3: a sound that resembles a whistle; esp: a shrill clear note of or as if of a bird
[2]whistle vb whis.tled ; whis.tling vi (bef. 12c) 1 a: to utter a shrill clear sound by blowing or drawing air through the puckered lips b: to utter a shrill note or call resembling a whistle c: to make a shrill clear sound esp. by rapid movement "the wind whistled" d: to blow or sound a whistle
2. a: to give a signal or issue an order or summons by or as if by whistling b: to make a demand without result "did a sloppy job so he can ~ for his money" ~ vt 1 a: to send, bring, signal, or call by or as if by whistling b: to charge (as a basketball or hockey player) with an infraction
2: to produce, utter, or express by whistling "~ a tune" -- whis.tle.able adj -- whistle in the dark : to keep up one's courage by or as if by whistling