- whistle
-
—whistleable, adj./hwis"euhl, wis"-/, v., whistled, whistling, 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.6. to produce by whistling: to whistle a tune.7. to call, direct, or signal by or as by whistling: He whistled his dog over.8. to send with a whistling or whizzing sound.9. whistle for, to demand or expect without success: After promising to pay, he told us we could whistle for our money.10. 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.11. 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.12. a sound produced by whistling: a prolonged whistle of astonishment.13. a simple fipple flute.14. blow the whistle, to expose the existence of mischief or wrongdoing: The agent was taking bribes until someone finally blew the whistle.15. 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.16. wet one's whistle, Informal. to take a drink.[bef. 950; (v.) ME whistlen, OE hwistlian; akin to ON hvisla to whistle, hviskra to whisper; see WHINE; (n.) ME; OE hwistle instrument, akin to the v.]
* * *
short flute having a stopped lower end and a flue that directs the player's breath from the mouth hole at the upper end against the edge of a hole cut in the whistle wall, causing the enclosed air to vibrate. Most forms have no finger holes and sound only one pitch. It was made originally from bird bones, and it is considered by many scholars to be the oldest flute type known. It is mainly used for signaling, though it can be heard in folk ensembles and in contemporary music.If a pellet is enclosed—as in a police whistle—it interferes with the air vibration, causing a warbling sound. In a slide whistle (piston flute, or Swanee whistle), the lower end consists of a sliding stopper, allowing change of pitch. Longer, open flutes with the whistle's flue and lateral hole are called fipple, or whistle, flutes.* * *
Universalium. 2010.
