Whistle

Definition:

  • (v. i.) 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.
  • (v. i.) To make a shrill sound with a wind or steam instrument, somewhat like that made with the lips; to blow a sharp, shrill tone.
  • (v. i.) To sound shrill, or like a pipe; to make a sharp, shrill sound; as, a bullet whistles through the air.
  • (v. t.) To form, utter, or modulate by whistling; as, to whistle a tune or an air.
  • (v. t.) To send, signal, or call by a whistle.
  • (v. i.) 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.
  • (v. i.) 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.
  • (v. i.) 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).
  • (v. i.) The mouth and throat; -- so called as being the organs of whistling.

Compare whistle with other words:

sing vs. whistle

whirtle vs. whistle

whistle vs. whistly

whistle vs. whistled

thistle vs. whistle

whistle vs. whittle

while vs. whistle

whistle vs. wiggle

mutter vs. whistle

whiffle vs. whistle

siren vs. whistle

hiss vs. whistle

loaf vs. whistle

catcall vs. whistle

horn vs. whistle

lanyard vs. whistle

whew vs. whistle

whirr vs. whistle

plain vs. whistle

calliope vs. whistle

toot vs. whistle

firework vs. whistle

suit vs. whistle

whistle vs. whistler