Hypertext Webster Gateway: "hiss"
From Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary (easton)
Hiss
to express contempt (Job 27:23). The destruction of the temple
is thus spoken of (1 Kings 9:8). Zechariah (10:8) speaks of the
Lord gathering the house of Judah as it were with a hiss: "I
will hiss for them." This expression may be "derived from the
noise made to attract bees in hiving, or from the sound
naturally made to attract a person's attention."
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Hiss \Hiss\ v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Hissed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Hissing}.] [AS. hysian; prob. of imitative origin?; cf. LG.
hissen, OD. hisschen.]
1. To make with the mouth a prolonged sound like that of the
letter s, by driving the breath between the tongue and the
teeth; to make with the mouth a sound like that made by a
goose or a snake when angered; esp., to make such a sound
as an expression of hatred, passion, or disapproval.
The merchants among the people shall hiss at thee.
--Ezek. xxvii.
36.
2. To make a similar noise by any means; to pass with a
sibilant sound; as, the arrow hissed as it flew.
Shod with steel, We hissed along the polished ice.
--Wordsworth.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Hiss \Hiss\, v. t.
1. To condemn or express contempt for by hissing.
If the tag-rag people did not clap him and hiss him,
according as he pleased and displeased them. --Shak.
Malcolm. What is the newest grief? Ros. That of an
hour's age doth hiss the speaker. --Shak.
2. To utter with a hissing sound.
The long-necked geese of the world that are ever
hissing dispraise. --Tennyson.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Hiss \Hiss\, n.
1. A prolonged sound like that letter s, made by forcing out
the breath between the tongue and teeth, esp. as a token
of disapprobation or contempt.
``Hiss'' implies audible friction of breath
consonants. --H. Sweet.
A dismal, universal hiss, the sound Of public scorn.
--Milton.
2. Any sound resembling that above described; as:
(a) The noise made by a serpent.
But hiss for hiss returned with forked tongue.
--Milton.
(b) The note of a goose when irritated.
(c) The noise made by steam escaping through a narrow
orifice, or by water falling on a hot stove.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
hiss
n 1: a fricative sound (especially as an expression of
disapproval); "the performers could not be heard over
the hissing of the audience" [syn: {hissing}, {sibilation}]
2: a cry or noise made to express displeasure or contempt [syn:
{boo}, {hoot}, {Bronx cheer}, {raspberry}, {razzing}, {snort},
{bird}]
v 1: make a sharp hissing sound, as if to show disapproval [syn:
{siss}, {sizz}, {sibilate}]
2: move with a whooshing sound [syn: {whoosh}]
3: express or utter with a hiss [syn: {sizz}, {siss}, {sibilate}]
4: show displeasure, as after a performance or speech [syn: {boo}]
[ant: {applaud}]
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