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whisper (v.)

Old English hwisprian "speak very softly, murmur" (only in a Northumbrian gloss for Latin murmurare), from Proto-Germanic *hwis- (source also of Middle Dutch wispelen, Old High German hwispalon, German wispeln, wispern, Old Norse hviskra "to whisper"), from PIE *kwei- "to hiss, whistle," imitative. Transitive sense is from 1560s. Related: Whispered; whispering. An alternative verb, now obsolete, was whister (late 14c., from Old English hwæstrian), and Middle English had whistringe grucchere "a slanderer."

whisper (n.)

1590s, from whisper (v.).

Entries related to whisper

whispering (n.)
Old English hwisprung, verbal noun from hwisprian (see whisper (v.)).
whistle (v.)
Old English hwistlian "to whistle," from Proto-Germanic *hwis-, of imitative origin (source also of Old Norse hvisla "to whisper," Danish hvisle "to hiss;" see whisper (v.)). Used also in Middle English of the hissing of serpents; in 17c. it also could mean "whisper." Transitive use from late 15c. Related: Whistled; whistling. At public events, often an expression of support or encouragement in U.S., but often derisive in Britain. To whistle for (with small prospect of getting) is perhaps from nautical whistling for a wind, an old sailor's superstition during a calm. "Such men will not whistle during a storm" [Century Dictionary]. To whistle "Dixie" is from 1940.

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Definitions of whisper from WordNet
1
whisper (n.)
speaking softly without vibration of the vocal cords;
Synonyms: whispering / susurration / voicelessness
whisper (n.)
a light noise, like the noise of silk clothing or leaves blowing in the wind;
Synonyms: rustle / rustling / whispering
2
whisper (v.)
speak softly; in a low voice;
From wordnet.princeton.edu

Dictionary entries near whisper

whirlwind

whisk

whisker

whiskey

whisky

whisper

whispering

whist

whistle

whistleblower

whistler

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