hiss

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a fricative sound, especially as an expression of disapproval

   The performers could not be heard over the hisses of the audience.

From Middle English hissen, probably of onomatopoeic origin (compare Arabic هَسْهَسَ (hashasa)). Compare Middle Dutch hissen, hisschen (“to chase away, shoo”), Middle Low German hissen (“to chase, hound, incite”).

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