WHISPER, verb intransitive [Latin The word seems by its sound to be an onomatopy, as it expresses a sibilant sound or breathing.] 1. To speak with a low hissing or sibilant voice. It is ill manners to whisper in company. The hollow whispring breeze-- 2. To speak with suspicion or timorous caution. 3. To plot secretly; to devise in mischief. All that hate me whisper together against me. Psalms 41:7. WHISPER, verb transitive 1. To address in a low voice. He whispers the man in the ear. [But this is elliptical for whispers to.] 2. To utter in a low sibilant voice. He whispered a word in my ear. 3. To prompt secretly; as, the came to whisper Woolsey. WHISPER, noun 1. A low soft sibilant voice; or words uttered with such a voice. The whisper cannot give a tone. Soft whispers through the assembly went. 2. A cautious or timorous speech. 3. A hissing or buzzing sound.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI