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whispering

 - 4 dictionary results
Wispering
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whis⋅per⋅ing

  [hwis-per-ing, wis-]
Use whispering in a Sentence
–noun
1. whispered talk or conversation.
2. rumor, hearsay, or gossip.
3. a whispered sound.
–adjective
4. that whispers; making a sound like a whisper.
5. like a whisper.
6. given to whispering; gossipy.
7. conversing in whispers.
Origin:
bef. 1000; ME (n.), OE hwisprunge. See whisper, -ing 2 , -ing 1

Related forms:
whis⋅per⋅ing⋅ly, adverb
Wispering
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whis⋅per

  [hwis-per, wis-per]
–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
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To whispering
whis·per   (hwĭs'pər, wĭs'-)   
n.  

  1. Soft speech produced without full voice.

  2. Something uttered very softly.

  3. A secretly or surreptitiously expressed belief, rumor, or hint: whispers of scandal.

  4. A low rustling sound: the whisper of wind in the pines.

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

v.   intr.

  1. To speak softly.

  2. To speak quietly and privately, as by way of gossip, slander, or intrigue.

  3. To make a soft rustling sound.

v.   tr.

  1. To utter very softly.

  2. 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.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

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.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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