Hiss | Webster's Dictionary (1865)

Hĭss, v. i.

verbintransitive

[imp. & p. p. HISSED (hĭst); p. pr. & vb. n. HISSING.] [A-S. hysian, O. D. hissen, hisschen, N. D. sissen, Dan. hvīse, Sw. hvīsa.]

Sense 1. To make a sound like that of the letter s, by driving the breath between the tongue and the teeth, especially in contempt or disapprobation.

The merchants among the people shall hiss at thee. Ezek. xxvii. 36.

Sense 2. To make a like sound, as a goose or serpent does, or as water thrown on hot metal, or steam escaping through a narrow orifice.

Sense 3. To glide with a whizzing noise, as an arrow.

Shod with steel, We hissed along the polished ice. Wordsworth.

Hiss, v. t.

verbtransitive

v. t. 1. To condemn by hissing; to explode.

If the tag-rag people did not clap him and hiss him, according as he pleased and displeased them. Shak.

Sense 2. To procure hisses or disgrace for.

Malcolm. What is the newest grief? Rosse. That of an hour's age doth hiss the speaker. Shak.

Hĭss, n.

noun

n. 1. The sound made by propelling the breath between the tongue and teeth, as in pronouncing the letter s, especially as a sound of disapprobation or contempt.

On all sides, from innumerable tongues, A dismal, universal hiss, the sound Of public scorn. Milton.

Sense 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 hot metal, and the like sounds.