Whist (?), interj. [Cf. G. st! pst! bst! &?;&?;&?;. Cf. Hist.] Be
silent; be still; hush; silence.
Whist, n. [From Whist, interj.] A certain game at cards; — so called
because it requires silence and close attention. It is played by four
persons (those who sit opposite each other being partners) with a
complete pack of fifty-two cards. Each player has thirteen cards, and
when these are played out, he hand is finished, and the cards are again
shuffled and distributed.
Points are scored for the tricks taken in excess of six, and for the
honors held. In long whist, now seldom played, ten points make the
game; in short whist, now usually played in England, five points make
the game. In American whist, so-called, honors are not counted, and
seven points by tricks make the game.
Whist, v. t. [From Whist, interj.] To hush or silence. [Obs.] Spenser.
Whist, v. i. To be or become silent or still; to be hushed or mute.
[R.] Surrey.
Whist, a. [Properly p. p. of whist, v.] Not speaking; not making a
noise; silent; mute; still; quiet. "So whist and dead a silence." Sir
J. Harrington.
The winds, with wonder whist, Smoothly the waters kissed.
Milton.
This adjective generally follows its noun, or is used predicatively.
Whis"tle (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Whistled (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Whistling (?).] [AS. hwistlian; akin to Sw. hvissla, Dan. hvisle, Icel.
hvsla to whisper, and E. whisper. √43. See Whisper.]
1. 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.
The weary plowman leaves the task of day, And, trudging homeward,
whistles on the way.
Gay.
2. To make a shrill sound with a wind or steam instrument, somewhat
like that made with the lips; to blow a sharp, shrill tone.
3. To sound shrill, or like a pipe; to make a sharp, shrill sound; as,
a bullet whistles through the air.
The wild winds whistle, and the billows roar.
Pope.
Whis"tle, v. t.
1. To form, utter, or modulate by whistling; as, to whistle a tune or
an air.