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Whisper

10 dictionary results for: whisper

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

whis·per

[hwis-per, wis-per] Pronunciation Key

–verb (used without object)

1.	to speak with soft, hushed sounds, using the breath, lips, etc., but with no vibration of the vocal cords.

2.	Phonetics. to produce utterance substituting breath for phonation.

3.	to talk softly and privately (often implying gossip, slander, plotting, or the like): The king knew that the courtiers were whispering.

4.	(of trees, water, breezes, etc.) to make a soft, rustling sound like that of whispering.

–verb (used with object)

5.	to utter with soft, low sounds, using the breath, lips, etc.: He whispered endearments to her.

6.	Phonetics. to utter (speech sounds) substituting breath for phonation.

7.	to say or tell in a whisper; tell privately.

8.	to speak to or tell (a person) in a whisper or privately.

–noun

9.	the mode of utterance, or the voice, of a person who whispers: to speak in a whisper.

10.	a word or remark uttered by whispering.

11.	a rumor or insinuation: Whispers circulated about the affair.

12.	a soft, rustling sound like a whisper: the whisper of leaves in the wind.

[Origin: bef. 950; ME whisperen (v.), OE hwisprian; c. G wispern; akin to ON hviskra to whisper, hvīsla to whistle. See whine

]

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

whis·per (hwĭs'pər, wĭs'-) Pronunciation Key
n.

Soft speech produced without full voice.
Something uttered very softly.
A secretly or surreptitiously expressed belief, rumor, or hint: whispers of scandal.
A low rustling sound: the whisper of wind in the pines.

v. whis·pered, whis·per·ing, whis·pers

v. intr.

To speak softly.
To speak quietly and privately, as by way of gossip, slander, or intrigue.
To make a soft rustling sound.

v. tr.

To utter very softly.
To say or tell privately or secretly.

[From Middle English whisperen, to whisper, from Old English hwisprian.]

whis'per·er n., whis'per·y adj.

(Download Now or Buy the Book)
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
whisper (v.)

O.E. hwisprian "speak very softly" (only in a Northumbrian gloss for L. murmurare), from P.Gmc. *khwis- (cf. M.Du. wispelen, O.H.G. hwispalon, Ger. wispeln, wispern, O.N. hviskra "to whisper"), imitative and probably related to O.E. hwistlian "to whistle." The noun is from 1596.

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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

whisper
noun
1.	speaking softly without vibration of the vocal cords
2.	a light noise, like the noise of silk clothing or leaves blowing in the wind [syn: rustle]
verb
1.	speak softly; in a low voice [ant: shout]

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American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms - Cite This Source - Share This

whisper

see stage whisper.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

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U.S. Gazetteer - Cite This Source - Share This

Whisper Walk, FL (CDP, FIPS 77216) Location: 26.39591 N, 80.18839 W
Population (1990): 3037 (1783 housing units)
Area: 2.6 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)

U.S. Gazetteer, U.S. Census Bureau

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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Whisper

Whis"per\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Whispered; p. pr. & vb. n. Whispering.] [AS. hwisprian; akin to G. wispern, wispeln, OHG. hwispal?n, Icel. hv[=i]skra, Sw. hviska, Dan. hviske; of imitative origin. Cf. Whistle.]

1. To speak softly, or under the breath, so as to be heard only by one near at hand; to utter words without sonant breath; to talk without that vibration in the larynx which gives sonorous, or vocal, sound. See Whisper, n.

2. To make a low, sibilant sound or noise.

The hollow, whispering breeze. --Thomson.

3. To speak with suspicion, or timorous caution; to converse in whispers, as in secret plotting.

All that hate me whisper together against me. --Ps. xli. 7.

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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Whisper

2. To make a low, sibilant sound or noise.

The hollow, whispering breeze. --Thomson.

3. To speak with suspicion, or timorous caution; to converse in whispers, as in secret plotting.

All that hate me whisper together against me. --Ps. xli. 7.

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