psithurism

[ sith-yuh-riz-uhm ]

noun

1. a rustling or whispering sound, such as leaves in the wind; susurration:

   Standing in the glade I heard a quiet psithurism, just straddling the line between music and noise.

Word History and Origins

Origin of psithurism¹

First recorded in 1870–75; from Greek psithýrisma, from psithyrízein “to whisper,” from psíthyros “whispering”

Example Sentences

“Psithurism,” Miles said, looking up at the forest around us.

From Literature

“Psithurism. It’s a low whispering sound, like wind in leaves.”

From Literature