GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 3 definitions

1.       
   Whistle , v. i. [imp. & p. p. Whistled ; p. pr. & vb. n. Whistling .] [AS. hwistlian; akin to Sw. hvissla, Dan. hvisle, Icel. hvīsla to whisper, and E. whisper. √43.  See Whisper.]
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   To make a kind of musical sound, or series of sounds, by forcing the breath through a small orifice formed by contracting the lips; also, to emit a similar sound, or series of notes, from the mouth or beak, as birds.
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   The weary plowman leaves the task of day,
   And, trudging homeward, whistles on the way.
   Gay.
   
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   To make a shrill sound with a wind or steam instrument, somewhat like that made with the lips; to blow a sharp, shrill tone.
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   To sound shrill, or like a pipe; to make a sharp, shrill sound; as, a bullet whistles through the air.
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   The wild winds whistle, and the billows roar.
   Pope.
   
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2.       
   Whistle, v. t.
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   To form, utter, or modulate by whistling; as, to whistle a tune or an air.
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   To send, signal, or call by a whistle.
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   He chanced to miss his dog; we stood still till he had whistled him up.
   Addison.
   
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   To whistle off. (a) To dismiss by a whistle; -- a term in hawking. “AS a long-winged hawk when he is first whistled off the fist, mounts aloft.” Burton. (b) Hence, in general, to turn loose; to abandon; to dismiss.
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   I 'ld whistle her off, and let her down the wind
   To prey at fortune.
   Shak.
   
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   ☞ “A hawk seems to have been usually sent off in this way, against the wind when sent in search of prey; with or down the wind, when turned loose, and abandoned.”  
   Nares.
   
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3.       
   Whistle, n. [AS. hwistle a pipe, flute, whistle.  See Whistle, v. i.]
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   A sharp, shrill, more or less musical sound, made by forcing the breath through a small orifice of the lips, or through or instrument which gives a similar sound; the sound used by a sportsman in calling his dogs; the shrill note of a bird; as, the sharp whistle of a boy, or of a boatswain's pipe; the blackbird's mellow whistle.
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   Might we but hear
   The folded flocks, penned in their wattled cotes, . . . 
   Or whistle from the lodge.
   Milton.
   
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   The countryman could not forbear smiling, . . . and by that means lost his whistle.
   Spectator.
   
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   They fear his whistle, and forsake the seas.
   Dryden.
   
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   The shrill sound made by wind passing among trees or through crevices, or that made by bullet, or the like, passing rapidly through the air; the shrill noise (much used as a signal, etc.) made by steam or gas escaping through a small orifice, or impinging against the edge of a metallic bell or cup.
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   An instrument in which gas or steam forced into a cavity, or against a thin edge, produces a sound more or less like that made by one who whistles through the compressed lips; as, a child's whistle; a boatswain's whistle; a steam whistle (see Steam whistle, under Steam).
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   The bells she jingled, and the whistle blew.
   Pope.
   
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   The mouth and throat; -- so called as being the organs of whistling.  [Colloq.]
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   So was her jolly whistle well ywet.
   Chaucer.
   
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   Let's drink the other cup to wet our whistles.
   Walton.
   
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   Whistle duck (Zool.), the American golden-eye.
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