I. ˈhwispə(r) also ˈwi- verb
( whispered ; whispered ; whispering -p(ə)riŋ ; whispers )
Etymology: Middle English whisperen, from Old English hwisprian; akin to Old High German hwispalōn to whisper, Old Norse hvīskra to whisper, hvīna to whiz — more at whine
intransitive verb
1. : to speak softly with little or no vibration of the vocal cords especially with the aim of preserving secrecy
everybody whispering and then stopping when he came in — Mary Barrett
2. : to make a sibilant sound that resembles whispering
the flames whispered; the kettle hummed — Ellen Glasgow
a breeze whispers through the pines
transitive verb
1.
a. : to address in a whisper
I'd whisper her, and take her for a midnight stroll — Padraic Colum
b. : to influence or impel by whispering
a voice … whispers me on — E.R.B.Lytton
2.
a. : to report or suggest confidentially
the whispered reason behind much of the opposition — Newsweek
no evil lurked in … their hearts to whisper doubts concerning the goodness of life — V.L.Parrington
b. : to utter or communicate in or as if in a whisper
they sat closely together as she whispered some of her pleasantest memories — T.B.Costain
he whispered … “the coast is clear” — Archie Binns
II. noun
( -s )
1.
a. : an act or instance of whispering
whispers so fierce they could be heard all over the house — Peggy Bennett
specifically : speech in which vibration of the vocal cords is replaced by a fricative sound made by the breath in the whisper glottis while the cord glottis is closed
b. : a sibilant sound that resembles whispered speech : susurrus
a smoldering log settled with a whisper on the hearth — Ngaio Marsh
2.
a. : a whispered rumor or suggestion
never been a whisper of anything crooked about them — F.W.Crofts
b. : a confidential report or communication
3. : a barely discernible quantity : hint , trace
hardly a whisper of concern has been voiced — Eric Sevareid
a whisper of the perfume she used — C.O.Gorham