hissing

American  

[his-ing] / ˈhɪs ɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of emitting a hiss.

2. the sound of a hiss.

3. Archaic. an occasion or object of scorn.

---

Etymology

Origin of hissing

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

Example Sentences

It was very easy to use the wrong one and have everyone hissing at you like a car with four slashed tires.

From Literature

But he doesn’t, and I spend the rest of the night shaking my head, trying to dislodge the snake that won’t stop hissing that unspeakable word.

From Literature

The cottonmouths’ hissing disgust rang in his one good ear.

From Literature

I undressed again, refilled the vaporizer where it was hissing on its small spirit-stove, and climbed back into bed.

From Literature

On “Situation,” the hissing hi-hat hinted at on earlier tracks becomes explicit and the rhythm is officially disco, though with a twangy urban cowboy version of the beat.

From The Wall Street Journal