Middle English Dictionary Entry
hissen v.
Entry Info
| Forms | hissen v. Also hisszen, hizssen. |
| Etymology | Prob. imitative; but cp. MDu. & Flem. hissen, hisschen. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Of serpents, geese, etc.: to emit a sharp sibilant sound, hiss; (b) ~ on, to make this sound as a sign of contempt, hiss at (sb. or sth.); (c) to whistle; (d) ~ to, to call (sb.) by whistling, whistle to (sb.).
Associated quotations
a
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)298a/a : Þe serpent..is hunted wiþ wynd, and he hisseþ or he byte and sleeþ alle þat he byteþ.
- a1425 *Medulla (Stnh A.1.10)60a/b : Sibulo: to whystele or hysse.
- ?a1425(c1400) Mandev.(1) (Tit C.16)130/5 : Þei hissen [F siblent] as serpentes don.
- ?a1425 Mandev.(2) (Eg 1982)97/8 : Þai ete nedders, and þai speke noȝt, bot hisszes ane till anoþer, as nedders duse.
- ?a1425 Mandev.(2) (Eg 1982)100/13 : Þai speke noȝt, but hizssez and makez signes as mounkes duse, ilke ane till oþer, and ilkane of þam wate wele what oþer menez.
- c1425(c1400) Ld.Troy (LdMisc 595)1057 : The dragoun..hissed loude, and brondes blew.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)242 : Hyssyn, as edderys: Sibilo.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)4757 : He be-held on þat hend & hissis as a neddire.
- c1450 Jacob's W.(Sal 103)107/4 : Þou faryst as a chylde þat dare noȝt passe, for þe goos hysseth at him.
- 1483 Cath.Angl.(Monson 168)187 : To Hisse: sibilare.
- a1500 Hrl.1002 Gloss.(Hrl 1002)627 : Sibulat: hyssyt.
b
- a1425(c1395) WBible(2) (Roy 1.C.8)Jer.19.8 : Y schal sette this citee in to wondring..ech that passith bi it, schal wondre, and hisse [L sibilabit] on al the veniaunce therof.
- a1425(c1395) WBible(2) (Roy 1.C.8)Job 27.23 : He schal streyne hise hondis on him, and he schal hisse [WB(1): whistlen] on hym [vr. hym in scorn].
c
- a1500(?a1450) GRom.(Hrl 7333)137 : In that oþere side is an hisser or a siblatour, and he hissithe so swetlye, that nowe adayes the fisshe drawithe to him.
d
- a1425(c1395) WBible(2) (Roy 1.C.8)Is.5.26 : And he schal reise a signe among naciouns afer and he schal hisse [WB(1): whistle] to hym fro the endis of erthe.