phitint.n.
/fɪt/, U.S. /fɪt/ Representing various sounds, esp. of a short explosive nature, as the brief rapid expulsion of air, the sound made by a rifle bullet, etc. Also as n. Cf. phut int.Sometimes reduplicated to indicate repetition of such a sound.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > continuous or protracted sound > sibilant sound > [interjection] > whizz
piff1654
zip1678
whizz1812
phit1838
whee-oh1915
1838 J. C. Neal Charcoal Sketches 146 Phit and phiz are the exact phrase to express in short metre that it is time to be off like a shot.
1867 H. T. Craven Meg's Diversion i. 14 Jasp. (tips it off) Bah—booh—phit! Why that's vinegar! (crosses over to fireplace, R., spitting).
1869 T. A. Palmer Among Relics iii. 42 A blow would..perhaps bring about a meeting in the Bois—Gustave Lacroniére is a dead shot—and phit—adieu, Monsieur Seyton.
1894 Outing 24 420/1 He [sc. a bear] gave a soft ‘phit!’ of startled recognition, pricked up his ears and turned his head askew.
1898 A. Conan Doyle Trag. Korosko iv. 80 The air was full of the phit-phit-phit of the bullets.
1909 Daily Chron. 12 June 3/3 With the silencer attached there is just a ‘phit’ and no flame.
1998 Esquire Apr. 88/2 The click of metal on glass as he picked his silver lighter off the side table, the phit phit phit of metal striking flint.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2006; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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int.n.1838