[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/hiss/)

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# hiss

verb (hiss, hisses, hissed, hissing); noun (a hiss, hisses)

«hiss» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. To hiss is to make a long «sss» sound, like a snake or steam escaping. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hiss/#m1)
2. A hiss is that sound. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hiss/#m2)
3. To hiss can mean to say something in a sharp, angry whisper. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hiss/#m3)
4. An audience may hiss to show they dislike someone. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hiss/#m4)

### In the lessons

In stories hissing tells the reader about danger or anger: snakes and cats hiss as a warning, a villain hisses words. In science and everyday life it describes steam from a kettle, gas escaping, air leaking from a tyre or a fizzy drink being opened. Phrases: «hiss at», «hiss of steam», «hissed through her teeth».

### Examples

- The snake hissed and raised its head. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hiss/#x1)
- Our cat hisses when the neighbour's dog comes near. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hiss/#x2)
- The kettle began to hiss on the stove. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hiss/#x3)
- I heard a hiss as the air came out of my bike tyre. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hiss/#x4)
- «Be quiet!» she hissed. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hiss/#x5)
- The crowd hissed at the villain in the pantomime. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hiss/#x6)
- If you smell gas or hear a hiss from the cooker, tell an adult at once. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hiss/#x7)
- The drink can opened with a hiss. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hiss/#x8)
- “Nearer!” hissed Kaa, and they all moved again. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hiss/#x9)

### Note

Third person «hisses», plural noun «hisses». It is an imitative word (it sounds like what it means). Safety: a hissing cat or snake is warning you to keep away.

## In Jewish tradition

Interpretation: Sefer Yetzirah calls the letter Shin "hissing" like fire and Mem silent like water. Aleph, a breath of air, stands between them to bring balance. In the prophets, to "hiss" at a ruined city means to whistle in shock and scorn, and "a hissing" is a thing people mock. In the primary lessons: In stories hissing tells the reader about danger or anger: snakes and cats hiss as a warning, a villain hisses words. In science and everyday life it describes steam from a kettle, gas escaping, air leaking from a tyre or a fizzy drink being opened. Phrases: «hiss at», «hiss of steam», «hissed through her teeth».

### Examples

- The three fundamental letters א״מ״ש signify, as מ is mute like the water and ש hissing like the fire, there is א among them, a breath of air which reconciles them. (Sefer Yetzirah, Kalisch 1877) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/H/hiss/#x1)
- Every one that passeth by her shall hiss, and wag his hand. (Prophets ZEP.2.15, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/H/hiss/#x2)
- Men shall clap their hands at him, and shall hiss him out of his place. (Writings JOB.27.23, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/H/hiss/#x3)
- And Babylon shall become heaps, a dwelling-place for jackals, an astonishment, and a hissing, without inhabitant. (Prophets JER.51.37, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/H/hiss/#x4)

### Note

Third person «hisses», plural noun «hisses». It is an imitative word (it sounds like what it means). Safety: a hissing cat or snake is warning you to keep away.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «hiss» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hiss/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«hiss» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/hiss.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «hiss» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/H/hiss/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«hiss» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/hiss.html) on Mova free.