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| whis·tle [ wíss'l, hwíss'l ] |
verb (past and past participle whis·tled, present participle whis·tling, 3rd person present singular whis·tles) |
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| Definition: |
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1. intransitive verb make shrill sound through pursed lips: to make a shrill or musical sound by forcing the breath through a small gap between the lips or the teeth
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2. intransitive verb produce shrill sound: to produce a shrill sound or signal by forcing steam or air through a narrow opening
(
refers to trains, kettles, etc.
)
  heard the train whistle as it came around the bend
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3. intransitive verb emit shrill call: to make a shrill call or cry
(
refers to birds and animals
)
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4. intransitive verb move with shrill sound: to move at great speed through the air, making a shrill sound
traffic whistling by
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5. intransitive verb produce sound when wind rushes by: to make a sound, especially a high-pitched one, when moving through a narrow opening
wind whistling through the rafters
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6. transitive verb make musical sound by whistling: to produce music or give a signal by whistling
whistling a tune
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7. transitive and intransitive verb issue call or order by whistling: to summon, order, or signal to a person or animal by whistling
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noun (plural whis·tles) |
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| Definition: |
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1. device producing shrill sound: a device or instrument that produces a shrill or musical sound when air or breath is forced through it
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2. whistling sound: a sound or signal made by a person, animal, or object whistling
He let out a low whistle.
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3. act of whistling: an act of whistling
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| [ Old English hwistlian< Germanic, "whistle, hiss"] |
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| whis·tling adjective |
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blow the whistle (on somebody or something) to report somebody for doing something wrong or illegal, or reveal something wrong or illegal that is being done, especially within an organization (informal)
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wet your whistle to have a drink, especially of alcohol (informal)
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