Dictionary
whis•tle
Pronunciation: (hwis'ul, wis'-), [key]
—v., -tled, -tling,
—n.
—
v.i.
1. to make a clear musical sound, a series of such sounds, or a high-pitched, warbling sound by the forcible expulsion of the breath through a small opening formed by contracting the lips, or through the teeth, with the aid of the tongue.
2. to make such a sound or series of sounds otherwise, as by blowing on some device.
3. to emit similar sounds from the mouth, as birds do.
4. (of a device) to produce a similar sound when actuated by steam or the like:
This teakettle whistles when it boils.
5. to move, go, pass, etc., with a whistling or whizzing sound, as a bullet or the wind.
—
v.t.
1. to produce by whistling:
to whistle a tune.
2. to call, direct, or signal by or as by whistling:
He whistled his dog over.
3. to send with a whistling or whizzing sound.
4. whistle for,to demand or expect without success:
After promising to pay, he told us we could whistle for our money.
5. whistle in the dark, to attempt to summon up one's courage or optimism in a difficult situation:
He says his business will improve next year, but he's probably just whistling in the dark.
—
n.
1. an instrument for producing whistling sounds by means of the breath, steam, etc., as a small wooden or tin tube, a pipe, or a similar device with an air chamber containing a small ball that oscillates when air is forced through an opening, producing a high-pitched, warbling tone.
2. a sound produced by whistling:
a prolonged whistle of astonishment.
3. a simple fipple flute.
4. blow the whistle, to expose the existence of mischief or wrongdoing:
The agent was taking bribes until someone finally blew the whistle.
5. blow the whistle on,
a. to bring a stop to; halt:
Congress has blown the whistle on all unnecessary expenditures for the program.
b. to expose (wrongdoing or wrongdoers):
to blow the whistle on corruption in high places.
6. wet one's whistle, Informal.to take a drink.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
