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Definitions for: Whistle
[n] an inexpensive fipple flute
[n] acoustic device that forces air or steam against an edge or into a cavity and so produces a loud shrill sound
[n] the act of signalling (e.g., summoning) by whistling or blowing a whistle; "the whistle signalled the end of the game"
[n] the sound made by something moving rapidly or by steam coming out of a small aperture
[v] utter or express by whistling; "She whistled a melody"
[v] give a signal by whistling; "She whistled for her maid"
[v] make a whining, ringing, or whistling sound; "the kettle was singing"; "the bullet sang past his ear"
[v] move with, or as with, a whistling sound; "The bullets whistled past him"
[v] move, send, or bring as if by whistling; "Her optimism whistled away these worries"
[v] make whistling sounds; "He lay there, snoring and whistling"
Webster (1913) Definition: 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.]
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.
The weary plowman leaves the task of day, And,
trudging homeward, whistles on the way. --Gay.
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.
3. To sound shrill, or like a pipe; to make a sharp, shrill
sound; as, a bullet whistles through the air.
The wild winds whistle, and the billows roar.
--Pope.
Whis"tle, v. t.
1. To form, utter, or modulate by whistling; as, to whistle a
tune or an air.
2. To send, signal, or call by a whistle.
He chanced to miss his dog; we stood still till he
had whistled him up. --Addison.
To whistle off.
(a) To dismiss by a whistle; -- a term in hawking. ``AS a
long-winged hawk when he is first whistled off the
fist, mounts aloft.'' --Burton.
(b) Hence, in general, to turn loose; to abandon; to
dismiss.
I 'ld whistle her off, and let her down the wind
To prey at fortune. --Shak.
Note: ``A hawk seems to have been usually sent off in this
way, against the wind when sent in search of prey; with
or down the wind, when turned loose, and abandoned.''
--Nares.
Whis"tle, n. [AS. hwistle a pipe, flute, whistle. See
Whistle, v. i.]
1. A sharp, shrill, more or less musical sound, made by
forcing the breath through a small orifice of the lips, or
through or instrument which gives a similar sound; the
sound used by a sportsman in calling his dogs; the shrill
note of a bird; as, the sharp whistle of a boy, or of a
boatswain's pipe; the blackbird's mellow whistle.
Might we but hear The folded flocks, penned in their
wattled cotes, . . . Or whistle from the lodge.
--Milton.
The countryman could not forbear smiling, . . . and
by that means lost his whistle. --Spectator.
They fear his whistle, and forsake the seas.
--Dryden.
2. The shrill sound made by wind passing among trees or
through crevices, or that made by bullet, or the like,
passing rapidly through the air; the shrill noise (much
used as a signal, etc.) made by steam or gas escaping
through a small orifice, or impinging against the edge of
a metallic bell or cup.
3. An instrument in which gas or steam forced into a cavity,
or against a thin edge, produces a sound more or less like
that made by one who whistles through the compressed lips;
as, a child's whistle; a boatswain's whistle; a steam
whistle (see Steam whistle, under Steam).
The bells she jingled, and the whistle blew. --Pope.
4. The mouth and throat; -- so called as being the organs of
whistling. [Colloq.]
So was her jolly whistle well ywet. --Chaucer.
Let's drink the other cup to wet our whistles.
--Walton.
Whistle duck (Zo["o]l.), the American golden-eye.
Synonyms: pennywhistle, sing, tin whistle, whistling, whistling
See Also: acoustic device, boat whistle, communicate, displace, factory whistle, fipple flute, fipple pipe, go, go, go, intercommunicate, locomote, move, recorder, sign, sign, signal, signal, signaling, signaling device, signalise, signalize, sound, sound, sound, steam whistle, travel, vertical flute
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