hissing

[ his-ing ]

noun

1. the act of emitting a hiss.
2. the sound of a hiss.
3. Archaic. an occasion or object of scorn.

Word History and Origins

Origin of hissing¹

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; hiss, -ing ¹

Example Sentences

As its hissing güiro, whistling gaitas and lively horns flow through Los Angeles, Noche de Cumbia aims to celebrate its roots, embrace its variations and encourage a night full of dancing.

From Los Angeles Times

The menu includes a salad with twin Madagascar hissing cockroaches nestling on a bed of leaves and cherry tomatoes, a generous scoop of ice cream with three tiny grasshoppers perched on it and even a cocktail with spirits made from silkworm poo.

From BBC

Forty-five years after “Alien” launched horror into space, little hasn’t been analyzed about its hissing xenomorphs, face-huggers or the lingering untrustworthiness of “synthetic persons.”

From Salon

An audience member who was at the performance of Antony and Cleopatra told the BBC he heard "hissing from above", before seeing "an object fall through the roof - and into the crowd".

From BBC

Amid the din of traffic, hissing buses and loud stereos, the playground sat empty, and men lay on the grassy strips, napping under the sun.

From Los Angeles Times