sibilate

verb

sib·​i·​late ˈsi-bə-ˌlāt How to pronounce sibilate (audio)
sibilated; sibilating

intransitive verb

1
: hiss
2
: to utter an initial sibilant : prefix an \s\-sound

transitive verb

1
: hiss
2
: to pronounce with an initial sibilant : prefix an \s\-sound to
sibilation
ˌsi-bə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce sibilate (audio)
noun

Word History

Etymology

Latin sibilatus, past participle of sibilare

First Known Use

circa 1656, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sibilate was circa 1656

Dictionary Entries Near sibilate

sibilant

sibilate

sibilatingly

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Sibilate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sibilate. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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