hiss

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hiss /h'ɪs/ (hisses hissing hissed)
1 [VERB] V prep, V, V-ing
To hiss means to make a sound like a long `s'.
The tires of Lenny's bike hissed over the wet pavement as he slowed down...
My cat hissed when I stepped on its tail...
Caporelli made a small hissing sound of irritation.
[N-COUNT]
Hiss is also a noun.
...the hiss of water running into the burnt pan...
● hissing [N-UNCOUNT]
...a silence broken only by a steady hissing from above my head.
2 [VERB] V with quote, V at/to n with quote
If you hiss something, you say it forcefully in a whisper.
`Now, quiet,' my mother hissed...
`Stay here,' I hissed at her.
3 [VERB] V, V at n, also V n
If people hiss at someone such as a performer or a person making a speech, they express their disapproval or dislike of that person by making long loud `s' sounds.
One had to listen hard to catch the words of the President's speech as the delegates booed and hissed...
Some local residents whistled and hissed at them as they entered.
[N-COUNT] usu pl
Hiss is also a noun.
After a moment the barracking began. First came hisses, then shouts.
= hissing

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