ˈwɪsl n. & v. --n. 1 a
clear shrill sound made by forcing
breath through a
small hole between nearly closed lips. 2 a
similar sound made by a
bird,
the wind, a
missile, etc. 3 an
instrument used to
produce such a sound. --v. 1 intr.
emit a whistle. 2 a intr.
give a signal or express
surprise or
derision by whistling. b tr. (often foll. by up)
summon or give a signal to (a
dog etc.) by whistling. 3 tr. (also absol.) produce (a tune) by whistling. 4 intr. (foll. by for) vainly
seek or
desire. øas
clean (or clear or dry) as a whistle
very clean or clear or
dry. blow the whistle on colloq.
bring (an activity) to an
end;
inform on (those responsible). whistle down the wind 1 let go,
abandon. 2
turn (a hawk)
loose. whistle in the
dark pretend to be
unafraid. whistle-stop 1 US a small
unimportant town on a
railway. 2 a politician's
brief pause for an electioneering
speech on
tour. 3 (attrib.)
with brief pauses (a whistle-stop tour). whistling
kettle a kettle
fitted with a whistle sounded by
steam when the kettle is
boiling. [OE (h)wistlian (v.), (h)wistle (n.) of imit. orig.:
cf. ON hvÂsla
whisper, MSw. hvisla whistle]
