Whistling

Whistling
Whistle Whis"tle, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Whistled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Whistling}.] [AS. hwistlian; akin to Sw. hvissla, Dan. hvisle, Icel. hv[=i]sla to whisper, and E. whisper. [root]43. See {Whisper}.] [1913 Webster] 1. To make a kind of musical sound, or series of sounds, by forcing the breath through a small orifice formed by contracting the lips; also, to emit a similar sound, or series of notes, from the mouth or beak, as birds. [1913 Webster]

The weary plowman leaves the task of day, And, trudging homeward, whistles on the way. --Gay. [1913 Webster]

2. To make a shrill sound with a wind or steam instrument, somewhat like that made with the lips; to blow a sharp, shrill tone. [1913 Webster]

3. To sound shrill, or like a pipe; to make a sharp, shrill sound; as, a bullet whistles through the air. [1913 Webster]

The wild winds whistle, and the billows roar. --Pope. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Whistling — Whis tling, a. & n. from {Whistle}, v. [1913 Webster] {Whistling buoy}. (Naut.) See under {Buoy}. {Whistling coot} (Zo[ o]l.), the American black scoter. {Whistling Dick}. (Zo[ o]l.) (a) An Australian shrike thrush ({Colluricincla Selbii}). (b)… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • whistling — [hwis′liŋ, wis′iŋ] n. [ME whistlinge < OE hwistlung] 1. the act or sound of a person, animal, or thing that whistles 2. shrill, noisy breathing by a horse, caused by a disorder of the air passages …   English World dictionary

  • Whistling — Human whistling is the production of sound by means of a constant stream of air from the mouth. The air is moderated by the tongue, lips, teeth, or fingers to create turbulence, and the mouth acts as a resonant chamber to enhance the resulting… …   Wikipedia

  • whistling —    Regarded as at least unwise and unlucky in a number of professions, including sailors who maintain that it conjures up a wind, miners, and actors. This latter has been rationalized by some as the fact that in old theatres certain sounds carry… …   A Dictionary of English folklore

  • whistling — noun 1. the sound made by something moving rapidly or by steam coming out of a small aperture (Freq. 1) • Syn: ↑whistle • Derivationally related forms: ↑whistle, ↑whistle (for: ↑whistle) …   Useful english dictionary

  • whistling — whis·tle || hwɪsl / w n. shrill sound produced by forcing air through a small opening (as between the lips or teeth); device which produces a whistle by forcing air or steam through an opening (i.e. tea kettle, train whistle); act of whistling… …   English contemporary dictionary

  • Whistling duck — Whistling ducks Black bellied Whistling Duck, Birding Center, Port Aransas, Texas Scientific classification Kingdom …   Wikipedia

  • Whistling-thrush — Whistling thrushes Formosan Whistling thrush Myophonus insularis Scientific classification Kingdom …   Wikipedia

  • Whistling buoy — Whistling Whis tling, a. & n. from {Whistle}, v. [1913 Webster] {Whistling buoy}. (Naut.) See under {Buoy}. {Whistling coot} (Zo[ o]l.), the American black scoter. {Whistling Dick}. (Zo[ o]l.) (a) An Australian shrike thrush ({Colluricincla… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Whistling coot — Whistling Whis tling, a. & n. from {Whistle}, v. [1913 Webster] {Whistling buoy}. (Naut.) See under {Buoy}. {Whistling coot} (Zo[ o]l.), the American black scoter. {Whistling Dick}. (Zo[ o]l.) (a) An Australian shrike thrush ({Colluricincla… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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