{ Whis"ky, Whis"key } (?), n. [Ir. or Gael. uisge water (perhaps akin
to E. wash, water) in uisgebeatha whiskey, properly, water of life. Cf.
Usquebaugh.] An intoxicating liquor distilled from grain, potatoes,
etc., especially in Scotland, Ireland, and the United States. In the
United States, whisky is generally distilled from maize, rye, or wheat,
but in Scotland and Ireland it is often made from malted barley.
Bourbon whisky, corn whisky made in Bourbon County, Kentucky. — Crooked
whisky. See under Crooked. — Whisky Jack (Zoöl.), the Canada jay
(Perisoreus Canadensis). It is noted for its fearless and familiar
habits when it frequents the camps of lumbermen in the winter season.
Its color is dull grayish blue, lighter beneath. Called also moose
bird.
{ Whis"ky*fied, Whis"key*fied } (?), a. [Whisky + -fy.] Drunk with
whisky; intoxicated. [Humorous] Thackeray.
Whisp (?), n. See Wisp.
Whisp, n. (Zoöl.) A flock of snipe.
Whis"per (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Whispered (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Whispering.] [AS. hwisprian; akin to G. wispern, wispeln, OHG.
hwispal&?;n, Icel. hvskra, Sw. hviska, Dan. hviske; of imitative
origin. Cf. Whistle.]
1. To speak softly, or under the breath, so as to be heard only by one
near at hand; to utter words without sonant breath; to talk without
that vibration in the larynx which gives sonorous, or vocal, sound. See
Whisper, n.