siss

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to make or utter with a sharp hissing sound

   The damp iron began to siss when it touched the hot plate.

2. 2
   noun

   a sharp hissing sound

   A sudden siss of steam came from the loosened valve.

From Middle English sissen, probably imitative of the sound itself and comparable with Middle Dutch and Middle Low German sissen ("to hiss or buzz"). Its repeated s sounds mimic the noise it denotes.

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