hissing

[his-ing] /ˈhɪs ɪŋ/
noun
1.
the act of emitting a hiss.
2.
the sound of a hiss.
3.
Archaic. an occasion or object of scorn.
Origin
1350-1400; Middle English; see hiss, -ing1

hiss

[his] /hɪs/
verb (used without object)
1.
to make or emit a sharp sound like that of the letter s prolonged, as a snake does, or as steam does when forced under pressure through a small opening.
2.
to express disapproval or contempt by making this sound:
The audience hissed when the actor forgot his lines.
verb (used with object)
3.
to express disapproval of by hissing:
The audience hissed the controversial play.
4.
to silence or drive away by hissing (usually followed by away, down, etc.):
They hissed down the author when he tried to speak.
5.
to utter with a hiss.
noun
6.
a hissing sound, especially one made in disapproval.
Origin
1350-1400; Middle English hissen; probably imitative; compare Old English hyscan to jeer at, rail (derivative of husc jeering; cognate with Old Saxon, Old High German hosc)
Related forms
hisser, noun
hissingly, adverb
outhiss, verb (used with object)
unhissed, adjective
Synonyms
2, 4. boo, razz, heckle.
Examples from the web for hissing
  • As the dragon charged it released huge clouds of hissing steam through its nostrils.
  • Exhale through the mouth with the lips pursed, making a hissing sound.
  • If you smell gas or hear a blowing or hissing noise, open a window and get everyone out quickly.
  • Shut off gas only if you smell gas or hear a hissing noise.
  • If you smell gas or hear hissing, open a window, leave quickly and call the gas company from a safe place.
  • Burning leaves and wood give off crackling and hissing sounds.
  • If you smell gas or hear blowing or hissing, open a window and immediately leave the building.
  • If you smell gas or hear a hissing or blowing sound, open a window and leave immediately.
  • As his feet touched bottom, a sudden rattling and hissing arose.
  • If you smell gas or hear blowing or hissing noise, open a window and quickly leave the building.
British Dictionary definitions for hissing

hiss

/hɪs/
noun
1.
a voiceless fricative sound like that of a prolonged s
2.
such a sound uttered as an exclamation of derision, contempt, etc, esp by an audience or crowd
3.
(electronics) receiver noise with a continuous spectrum, caused by thermal agitation, shot noise, etc
interjection
4.
an exclamation of derision or disapproval
verb
5.
(intransitive) to produce or utter a hiss
6.
(transitive) to express with a hiss, usually to indicate derision or anger
7.
(transitive) to show derision or anger towards (a speaker, performer, etc) by hissing
Derived Forms
hisser, noun
Word Origin
C14: of imitative origin

Hiss

/hɪs/
noun
1.
Alger. 1904–96, US government official: imprisoned (1950–54) for perjury in connection with alleged espionage activities
Word Origin and History for hissing
n.

late 14c., hissyng, of imitative origin (see hiss (v.)), but originally also "whistling." In both senses expressing opprobrium.

hiss

v.

late 14c., of imitative origin. Johnson wrote, "it is remarkable, that this word cannot be pronounced without making the noise which it signifies." Related: Hissed; hissing.

n.

1510s, from hiss (v.).

hissing in the Bible

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."