Whisper

Part of speech: verb, noun

Pronunciation: /ˈ(h)wɪspə/

Definitions

1. To speak very softly with barely audible breath so that only nearby listeners can hear ; to communicate secrets or confidential information quietly ; to produce a gentle, rustling sound like a soft breeze or faint movement
2. The act of uttering words in a hushed tone without vocal force to avoid being overheard ; to convey messages privately or discreetly through quiet speech ; to emit a soft, murmuring noise resembling a delicate sound of air or fabric
3. Expressing speech in a low, breathy voice to prevent disturbance or reveal secrets ; sharing thoughts or information in a private, muted manner ; generating a subtle sound that mimics quiet natural or mechanical noise

Etymology: The verb "whisper" is a close sibling of "whistle." Both grow from an Indo-European root meaning "to hiss," and in Old English the word hwisprian meant "to mutter" or "murmur," with the idea of a soft sound rather than a secret voice. The hiss at its core is still audible in the word's shape: the initial "wh" sound was once a clear breathy consonant, and the soft sibilant ending carries the same hushed quality. Across the Germanic languages the same family keeps this sense alive. Dutch "wisperen" and German "wispern" both mean to whisper or mumble, and Swedish "viska" and Icelandic "hvískra" share the same stock. The English verb and noun now mean speaking very quietly, but the word began as a description of sound itself, the faint rustle of breath, rather than of speech or secrecy.

Synonyms: murmur, susurration, hiss, sigh

Antonyms: shout, yell, scream, roar