I. ˈhis verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
Etymology: Middle English hissen, of imitative origin
intransitive verb
: to make a sharp sibilant sound: as
a. : to make the sound by which an animal (as a goose or snake) indicates alarm, fear, or irritation
the kitten hissed at sight of the dog
b. : to make such a sound as an expression of hatred, passion, or disapproval
the crowd booed and hissed
c. : to escape or move with a hissing sound
the wind hissed about the caves
— used especially of substances under pressure
steam hissing from the kettle's spout
air hissed from the faulty valve
transitive verb
1. : to condemn or express contempt or dislike for by hissing
hissed the speaker from the stage
2. : to utter with a hissing sound
hiss dispraise
sibilants should be clearly hissed
II. noun
( -es )
1. : a prolonged sibilant sound like that of the speech sound s or z: as
a. : any of various animal sounds usually indicative of alarm, fear, or irritation
startled by the sharp hiss of a snake
b. : the sound made by steam or other gas escaping through a narrow opening
c.
(1) : the friction that characterizes the utterance of a voiceless fricative consonant
(2) : a voiceless fricative ; specifically : s — compare buzz
2. : a hiss used as an expression of dislike, disapprobation, or contempt
hisses rose from all parts of the audience
III. adjective
or hissing
: being or involving the sibilant s or z
hiss sibilants of Georgian speech
— compare hush