单词 | whisper |
释义 | whispern. 1. a. An act, or the action, of whispering, or speaking ‘under one's breath’; the low non-resonant quality of voice which characterizes this (esp. in in a whisper).In Phonetics (equivalently), Speech or vocal sound without the musical or resonant tone produced by vibration of the vocal cords; a ‘breath’ sound, as distinguished from ‘voice’ (see breath n. 8, voice n. 11); in strict use implying also contraction of the glottis: see also Compounds 1. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > speech > manner of speaking > [noun] > whispering whisperingc975 roundingOE susurrationa1425 tutelingc1440 tittlinga1450 whistering1586 whisper1609 whisperation1710 whisht1773 the mind > language > linguistics > study of speech sound > speech sound > voiced or voiceless sound gen > [noun] > voiceless quality > whisper or wheeze whispering1849 whisper1877 wheeze1890 1609 W. Shakespeare Pericles xi. 9 The sea-mans Whistle Is as a whisper in the eares of death, Vnheard. View more context for this quotation 1626 F. Bacon Sylua Syluarum §174 The Inward Voice or Whisper can neuer giue a Tone. 1758 S. Johnson Idler 17 June 81 Secrets which he always communicates in a whisper. 1778 F. Burney Evelina I. xxiii. 184 I heard him say..in an audible whisper,—which is a mode of speech very distressing and disagreeable to by-standers [etc.]. 1836 C. Dickens Sketches by Boz 2nd Ser. 57 Conversing in low whispers. 1837 C. Dickens Pickwick Papers xliv. 485 Mr. Weller delivered this..with great vehemence of whisper. 1864 A. Bain Senses & Intellect (ed. 2) i. iv. 319 In a whisper there is no musical sound. 1877 H. Sweet Handbk. Phonetics 5 Whisper in popular language simply means speech without voice. Phonetically whisper implies not merely absence of voice, but a definite contraction of the glottis. 1882 W. Besant All Sorts of Men II. xxii. 127 ‘Mind, it's a secret.’ He lowered his voice to a whisper. b. A whispered word, phrase, remark, or speech. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > speech > manner of speaking > [noun] > whispering > whisper whispera1616 pig's whisper1826 stage-whisper1864 a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry V (1623) iv. 0. 7 From Camp to Camp,..The Humme of eyther Army stilly sounds; That the fixt Centinels almost receiue The secret Whispers of each others Watch. a1640 P. Massinger Parl. of Love (1976) v. i. 246 Shee has putt The iudges to theire whisper. 1770 O. Goldsmith Deserted Village 203 Full well the busy whisper, circling round, Convey'd the dismal tidings when he frown'd. 1821 Ld. Byron Sardanapalus iii. i. 105 What, at whispers With my stern brother? 1829 W. Scott Anne of Geierstein I. x. 297 The sage Persian comforted him by a long whisper, of which the last part only was heard. 1833 H. Martineau Demerara (ed. 3) xi Some relaxation of discipline allowed them to exchange a whisper from time to time. c. pig's whisper: see pig's whisper n. stage whisper: see stage-whisper n. at stage n. Compounds 2. 2. A secret or slight utterance, mention, or report; a suggestion, insinuation, hint, light rumour (communicated in a whispering voice, or (figurative) by a soft rustling sound (cf. 3) or mentally); with negative, the slightest mention, the ‘least word’. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > hiding, concealing from view > keeping from knowledge > hidden or indirect meaning > [noun] > communicating indirectly > instance of implicative1589 whisper1596 adumbration1677 implicate1881 insinuendo1885 1596 J. Dalrymple tr. J. Leslie Hist. Scotl. (1895) II. 178 Not a word, nor quhisper in thair contrare. 1603 W. Shakespeare Hamlet i. i. 79 At least the whisper goes so. 1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet iv. v. 80 The people..vnwholsome in thoughts, and whispers For good Polonius death. View more context for this quotation 1664 in Extracts State Papers (Friends' Hist. Soc.) (1911) 2nd Ser. 191 Some whispers that the Judges would not proceede against any of the Quakers. 1677 W. Hubbard Pres. State New-Eng. 43 The bullet passing through his own hair, by that whisper telling him that death was very near. 1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 64. ⁋1 He [sc. a Courtier] deals much in Whispers, and you may see he dresses according to the best Intelligence. 1780 J. Bentham Introd. Princ. Morals & Legisl. (1789) xvii. §11. 313 If the thunders of the law prove impotent, the whispers of simple morality can have but little influence. 1823 W. Scott Quentin Durward I. vi. 124 A whisper from those recesses of the heart in which lies much that the owner does not know of. 1827 J. W. Croker in Croker Papers 17 Apr. (1884) I. 374 No one raises even a whisper of reproach against Peel. 1846 A. Marsh Father Darcy xxviii He rejected the pleadings of pity—the whispers of conscience. 1870 J. H. Burton Hist. Scotl. to 1688 VII. lxxii. 95 There were whispers that he was to be put to death without trial. 3. figurative. A soft rustling sound resembling or suggesting that of a whispering voice. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > faintness or weakness > [noun] > faint or weak sound > whispering sound whisping1379 whispering1610 whisper1638 susurration1640 susurring1826 susurrus1826 susurrence1909 whiffle1972 1638 J. Milton Lycidas in Obsequies 24 in Justa Edouardo King The mild whispers..Of shades and wanton winds and gushing brooks. 1798 S. T. Coleridge Anc. Marinere iii, in W. Wordsworth & S. T. Coleridge Lyrical Ballads 19 With never a whisper in the Sea Oft darts the Spectre-ship. 1842 Ld. Tennyson Gardener's Daughter in Poems (new ed.) II. 30 Whispers, like the whispers of the leaves That tremble round a nightingale. 1898 ‘H. S. Merriman’ Roden's Corner v A silence, broken only by the whisper of the wind through the rigging. Compounds C1. attributive. Uttered in a whisper; in Phonetics, uttered without the vocal murmur, ‘breath’ (see breath n. 8); whisper-like, whisper-proof adjs. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > speech > manner of speaking > [adjective] > whispering > whispered whispered1567 breathed1579 whispering1599 whisper1626 underbreath1853 stage-whispered1941 1626 N. Breton Fantasticks in Wks. (1879) II. 6/2 The leaues of the trees are in whisper talkes. 1838 E. Guest Hist. Eng. Rhythms I. 9 It is..doubtful if there ever was a language which had its whisper letters perfect. 1838 E. Guest Hist. Eng. Rhythms I. 10 The whisper sounds of the two liquids l, r, constitute two distinct letters in Welsh. 1846 Proc. Philol. Soc. (1848) 3 4 The sound of th, whether whisper or vocal. 1876 Lanier in Atlantic Monthly (1899) LXXXIII. 799/1 I..inserted a whisper chorus..to prepare by its straining pianissimo for the outburst of jubilation. 1876 Gentleman's Mag. Sept. 339 To ascertain whether..our boasted right of asylum was really whisper-proof. 1904 W. H. Hudson Green Mansions iii. 45 The mysterious melody began... It was uttered by the same being heard on former occasions..that low, whisper-like talking. 1964 J. C. Catford in D. Abercrombie et al. Daniel Jones 37 What feels like breath..begins to sound more whisper~like at rates of flow above about 300 cl/sec. C2. whisper-shot n. [after ear-shot] the distance within which a whisper can be heard. ΘΚΠ the world > space > distance > [noun] > limit of distance or reach > of specific sound whisper-shot1863 shouting distance1930 1863 W. S. Gilbert in Cornhill Mag. Dec. 728 Informing everybody within whisper-shot..that this was my first brief. 1936 N. Streatfeild Ballet Shoes xviii. 278 Petrova looked round to see that Posy was out of whisper-shot. Derivatives ˈwhisperhood n. the condition of being a whisper (in sense 2).Apparently an isolated use. ΘΚΠ society > communication > information > rumour > [noun] > tale-bearer > condition of whisperhood1710 the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > hiding, concealing from view > keeping from knowledge > hidden or indirect meaning > [noun] > communicating indirectly > condition of whisperingnessa1586 whisperhood1710 inexplicitness1869 implicativeness1932 1710 J. Swift Examiner No. 15. ⁋5 I know a Lie that now disturbs half the Kingdom with its Noise, which..I can remember in its Whisper-hood. ˈwhisperless adj. not uttering a whisper, or in which no whisper is heard; absolutely silent. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > inaudibility > [adjective] > silent coyc1330 stone-still1338 quietc1384 softa1393 peacec1400 swownc1400 tongueless1447 clumc1485 mutec1500 whist1513 silent1542 dead1548 husht1557 whisted1557 whust1558 whust1558 whisht1570 huisht1576 quiet (also mum, mute, still, etc.) as a mouse (in a cheese)1584 fordead1593 noiseless1608 whisha1612 dumba1616 soundlessa1616 st1655 silentish1737 defta1763 sleeping1785 untoned1807 mousy1812 soughless1851 deathlike1856 whisperless1863 deathly1865 1863 P. S. Worsley Poems & Transl. 19 Crouching whisperless. 1911 R. Brooke in New Age 16 Nov. 59/2 The secret deeps are whisperless. ˈwhisperous adj. = whispery adj. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > faintness or weakness > [adjective] > whispering sound whisperinga1547 whistering1586 susurrant1791 whisperya1835 susurrent1857 susurrous1860 whisperous1884 1884 Ld. Lytton in 19th Cent. Dec. 898 The whisperous, awe-struck tone of the voice. 1892 Ld. Lytton King Poppy viii. 8 Waves that, hid in whisperous shadows, heaved. ˈwhisperously adv. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > speech > manner of speaking > [adverb] > in a whispered manner roundingly?1406 whisperingly1580 under (also below) one's breath1636 auricularly1667 susurringly1830 whisperously1858 underbreath1865 1858 E. Bulwer-Lytton What will he do with It? v. viii The Duchess..sinks her voice, and gabbles on—whisperously. ˈwhispery adj. full of or characterized by whispers; resembling a whisper. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > faintness or weakness > [adjective] > whispering sound whisperinga1547 whistering1586 susurrant1791 whisperya1835 susurrent1857 susurrous1860 whisperous1884 a1835 F. D. Hemans Zegri Maid in Poet. Wks. (1836) 209/2 In the whispery olive shade. 1844 J. R. Lowell Columbus 5 The reeling sea..falling Crumbled to whispery foam. 1861 L. L. Noble After Icebergs 254 The whispery, hissing sound of smoothly sliding waters. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1924; most recently modified version published online March 2022). whisperv. 1. a. intransitive. To speak softly ‘under one's breath’, i.e. without the resonant tone produced by vibration of the vocal cords; to talk or converse in this way, esp. in the ear of another, for the sake of secrecy. (See also 4a.) ΘΚΠ the mind > language > speech > manner of speaking > speak in a particular manner [verb (intransitive)] > whisper whisperc950 roundOE tutel?c1225 whistera1382 mumc1390 runka1500 susurr1529 whista1555 susurrate1623 rewhisper1753 cutter1781 whittie-whattie1821 the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > hiding, concealing from view > keeping from knowledge > hidden or indirect meaning > talk secretively [verb (intransitive)] whisperc950 muster1440 c950 Lindisf. Gosp. John p. 4 Murmurantes, hwisprendo. c975 Rushw. Gosp. Luke xix. 7 And miððy gesegon alle hwispredon [L. murmurabant]. c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 421/1 Quysperon.., mussito. c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 525/1 Whysperyn. 1577 H. Rhodes Bk. Nurture (new ed.) sig. B.viii Whysper not thou with thy fellowes oft. a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) iv. i. 125 Iuno and Ceres whisper seriously. View more context for this quotation a1616 W. Shakespeare All's Well that ends Well (1623) iv. iii. 298 Ile whisper with the Generall, and knowe his pleasure. View more context for this quotation 1676 E. M. Thompson Corr. Family of Hatton (1878) I. 136 Ld Wharton, and Ld Mohun sat..wispring together. 1709 R. Steele Tatler No. 38. ⁋8 He immediately runs into Secrets, and falls a whispering. 1848 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair xlviii. 429 Many ladies round about whispered and talked, and many gentlemen nodded and whispered. b. transitive with adv. To bring by whispering. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > speech > manner of speaking > say in a particular manner [verb (transitive)] > whisper > bring by whispering whisper1692 1692 J. Dryden Eleonora 21 Her Soul was whisper'd out, with God's still Voice. 1855 C. Kingsley Westward Ho! xxiv Cary..returned, and whispered Amyas away. 2. a. transitive. To say, tell, communicate, utter, or express by whispering. (With simple object or object clause; often with the actual words uttered as object.) See also 4b. ΘΚΠ society > communication > information > action of informing > give (information) [verb (transitive)] > inform (a person) > quietly breathe?1590 whisper1598 bewhisper1674 1598 W. Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost v. ii. 436 What did you whisper in your Ladies eare? View more context for this quotation a1616 W. Shakespeare Julius Caesar (1623) ii. ii. 100 If Cæsar hide himselfe, shall they not whisper Loe Cæsar is affraid? View more context for this quotation a1678 A. Marvell Last Instr. to Painter in Coll. Poems Affairs of State (1689) III. 24 His Fathers Ghost too whisper'd him one Note, That who does cut his Purse will cut his Throat. 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis xii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 587 Rising Fears are whisper'd thro' the Crowd. 1712 S. Centlivre Perplex'd Lovers i. iv. 10 She..whispers out her words, least I shou'd hear her. 1828 E. Bulwer-Lytton Pelham I. viii. 54 I took the opportunity..to approach Lady Roseville, and whisper my adieus. 1836 E. B. Barrett Poet's Vow v, in New Monthly Mag. 48 217 They whispered oft, ‘she sleepeth soft’. 1891 ‘J. S. Winter’ Lumley iii. 20 ‘What is it?’ he asked, in a loud whisper. ‘Gooseberry,’ she whispered back—‘come and sit here by me.’ b. intransitive for passive. rare. ΘΚΠ society > communication > information > action of informing > give information [verb (intransitive)] > special or private winka1500 hark?a1600 whisper1850 tip1903 to pull a person's coat1946 1850 Ld. Tennyson In Memoriam iii. 3 O sorrow,..What whispers from thy lying lip? View more context for this quotation 3. With the person, etc. as object: To address in a whisper; (with following clause or infinitive) to tell, inform, bid, or ask in a whisper. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > speech > manner of speaking > say in a particular manner [verb (transitive)] > whisper > address in a whisper roundOE whisper1540 stage-whisper1978 1540 J. Palsgrave in tr. G. Gnapheus Comedye of Acolastus i. i. sig. Diijv He hath whyspered the in the eare, or taught the thy lesson in a corner. a1591 H. Smith Serm. (1592) 988 He will whisper the poore howe they shall come by riches. 1600 W. Shakespeare Much Ado about Nothing iii. i. 4 Whisper her eare and tell her I and Vrsley, Walke in the orchard. View more context for this quotation a1616 W. Shakespeare Winter's Tale (1623) iv. iv. 797 Ile..whisper him in your behalfes. View more context for this quotation 1626 F. Bacon Sylua Syluarum §946 He did first whisper the Man in the Eare, that such a Man should thinke such a Card. 1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 117. ¶5 He whispered me in the Ear to take notice of a Tabby Cat. 1758 O. Goldsmith tr. J. Marteilhe Mem. Protestant I. 22 I whispered my Companion softly, that as the Night was very dark, we might give him the Slip. 1796 J. Morse Amer. Universal Geogr. (new ed.) II. 35 By whispering the rein-deer in the ear, they know the place of their destination. a1816 R. B. Sheridan School for Scandal (rev. ed.) iv. iii, in Wks. (1821) II. 117 Enter Servant, and whispers Joseph Surface. 1841 C. Dickens Old Curiosity Shop i. viii. 125 Miss Jane..whispered her sister to observe how jealous Mr. Cheggs was. 1899 W. Besant Orange Girl ii. xxi. 368 The Lord Mayor whispered the Judge again. 4. With special connotations. a. intransitive. To speak or converse quietly or secretly about something (usually implying hostility, malice, conspiracy, etc.); also (with negative) to speak ever so slightly, to say ‘the least thing’ about something. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > hatred > hostility > be hostile [verb (intransitive)] > speak with hostile intent whisperc1530 the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disrepute > damage to reputation > slander or calumny > utter slander or calumny [verb (intransitive)] > secretly backbite1377 whisperc1530 c1530 A. Barclay Egloges ii. sig. Kiv That whan other talke, & speke what they wyll Thou dare nat whysper. 1539 Bible (Great) Psalms xli. 7 All myne enemyes whisper together agaynst me. 1555 R. Eden tr. Peter Martyr of Angleria Decades of Newe Worlde ii. i. f. 53v His companyons whyspered and muttered ageynste hym. 1667 S. Pepys Diary 28 June (1974) VIII. 300 And ne'er a prince in France dare whisper against it. 1824 B. Hofland Patience vii. 111 Mrs. Masterman..whispers every where about your wife's covetousness. b. transitive. To say, report, communicate, or utter quietly, secretly, or confidentially; also (with negative) to utter ever so slightly, to say the least word of. (With simple object or object clause; often in passive.) ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > hiding, concealing from view > keeping from knowledge > hidden or indirect meaning > communicate secretively [verb (transitive)] whistera1382 whisper1562 the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > hiding, concealing from view > privacy > make private [verb (transitive)] > report confidentially whisper1562 1562 Reg. Privy Council Scotl. I. 209 It is quhisperit and murmurrit that sum suld forgett thair devoyr. 1597 W. Shakespeare Richard II ii. iv. 11 Leane-lookt prophets whisper fearefull change. View more context for this quotation 1628 in W. Foster Eng. Factories India 1624–9 (1909) 202 This newes was first wispered here the 19th November. a1708 T. Ward England's Reformation (1710) ii. 38 This Matter whisper'd up and down, Was quickly spread thro' all the Town. 1815 W. Scott Guy Mannering III. xiii. 255 It is whispered about..that there is such a plan. 1841 C. Dickens Old Curiosity Shop ii. lii. 89 Some vague rumour..which had been whispered abroad. 1845 B. Disraeli Sybil II. iv. xii. 282 Whisper nothings that sound like something. 1877 R. H. Roberts Harry Holbrooke of Holbrooke Hall xiv. 214 It was whispered that a man answering to his description was keeping a very lucrative gambling-house in San Francisco. c. transitive with adv. or adv.phr. To bring into or out of something, or to take away, by secret (esp. malicious or slanderous) speech. ΚΠ 1631 in S. R. Gardiner Rep. Cases Star Chamber & High Comm. (1886) 24 He is to be admonished..not to whisper away the fame and credit of Deputies and governors. 1783 E. Burke Speech Fox's E. India Bill 99 They cannot be whispered out of their duty,..their public conduct cannot be censured without a public discussion. 1841 C. Dickens Old Curiosity Shop ii. lviii. 127 Are characters to be whispered away like this? 1872 H. Bushnell Serm. Living Subj. xiii. 257 The great majority..are led, drawn, beckoned, whispered into their calling. 5. intransitive (figurative from 1.) To make a soft rustling sound resembling or suggesting a whisper. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > faintness or weakness > sound faintly or quietly [verb (intransitive)] > make whispering sound whisper1653 1653 I. Walton Compl. Angler ix. 185 There will the River wispering run. View more context for this quotation 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis iv, in tr. Virgil Wks. 319 The Winds no longer whisper through the Woods. 1769 T. Gray Inscript. Villa in New Foundling Hosp. for Wit: Pt. 3rd 34 No tree is heard to whisper, bird to sing. 1846 A. Marsh Father Darcy xxxiv The autumn wind whispered low among the branches. 6. a. transitive (figurative from 2.) To suggest secretly to the mind; also, to express or communicate by a soft rustling sound (cf. 5). ΚΠ 1640 S. Harding Sicily & Naples iii. i. 33 This day (There's something whispers to me) will prove fatall. 1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost iv. 158 Gentle gales..dispense Native perfumes, and whisper whence they stole Those balmie spoiles. View more context for this quotation 1748 T. Gray Ode in R. Dodsley Coll. Poems II. 265 Whisp'ring pleasure as they fly, Cool zephyrs..Their gather'd fragrance fling. 1828 C. Lamb Old Margate Hoy in Elia 2nd Ser. 34 The waves to him whispered more pleasant stories. 1837 B. Disraeli Venetia I. 232 A strange sympathy which whispers convictions that no evidence can authorise. 1878 R. Browning La Saisiaz 150 Truth is truth in each degree, Thunderpealed by God to Nature, whispered by my soul to me. b. with the person, etc. as obj. (figurative from 3). ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > belief > suggestion, proposal > suggest [verb (transitive)] > secretly whispera1616 a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) iv. iii. 211 Giue sorrow words; the griefe that do's not speake, Whispers the o're-fraught heart, and bids it breake. View more context for this quotation 1713 J. Addison Cato ii. i Something whispers me All is not right. 1761 A. Murphy All in Wrong i. 1 What devil whispered thee to marry such a woman? 1771 O. Goldsmith Hist. Eng. II. 394 Adulation had whispered the king with such an opinion of his own ability. 1832 B. Disraeli Contarini Fleming I. i. v. 40 Nature seemed to whisper me the folly of learning words instead of ideas. 1849 T. Woolner Noon in My Beautiful Lady iv Western wind..Whisper deliciously the trembling flowers. Derivatives ˈwhisperable adj. that can be whispered.Apparently an isolated use. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > hiding, concealing from view > keeping from knowledge > hidden or indirect meaning > [adjective] > capable of being implied whisperable1830 impliablea1865 1830 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. 28 893 All speak—talk—whisper—or smile, of all the speakable, talkable, whisperable, and smileable..affairs. whispeˈration n. whispering.Apparently an isolated use. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > speech > manner of speaking > [noun] > whispering whisperingc975 roundingOE susurrationa1425 tutelingc1440 tittlinga1450 whistering1586 whisper1609 whisperation1710 whisht1773 1710 C. Shadwell Fair Quaker of Deal iii. 37 Coxen. Ah—when the Captain and Purser whispers, our Guts ought to grumble. 6 Sailor. Ay, Coxen, those Whisperations are many an Ounce of Butter and Cheese out of our Way. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1924; most recently modified version published online December 2021). < |
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