I. ˈhwish also ˈwi- verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
Etymology: imitative
transitive verb
: to urge on or cause to move with a whish
heard them whishing up the sheep — Joseph Hocking
heard him whish the match across his pants — Helen Rich
intransitive verb
1. : to make a sibilant sound : move with a whish
a starter whished, and an engine took hold — G.R.Stewart
water whishes past the prow
2. : to move fast : whiz
trees whish past the train windows
whishes in with a roar and bursts in the street — Ernest Hemingway
II. noun
( -es )
: a rushing sound : swish — used interjectionally to convey an impression of rapid movement
touched a match to the skyrocket and whish it was off
III. ˈ(h)wish verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
Etymology: imitative
dialect Britain : shush — often used in the imperative to enjoin silence