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H
hsssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss.
n.  the crackle of an electric eel.

<Hsssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss.  Mad Uncle Jack snatched up the escaped eel, seemingly unconcerned as the current of electricity passed through his hand and up his arm as he popped it back into his pocket.  —Philip Ardagh, Dreadful Acts: Book Two in the Eddie Dickens Trilogy.>

hssst.
conj.  an emotional “moreover.”

<[N]ot only is it not too soon, hssst, it is overdue.  —Alan Dean Foster, The Approaching Storm.>

interj.  a hiss of dismissal.

<“Go away!”  I said.  “Hssst!”  —John Gardner, Grendel.>

interj.  a hiss of rejection.

<Hssst!  What would you know of my needs?  We’ve barely met, you and I.  —Terry Brooks, Anthrax .>

interj.  a sound that puts a stop to any further discussion.

<Hssst!  It’s settled.  Come along.  —Eloise McGraw, The Moorchild.>

n.  a sound to shoo a cat.

<“She’s got fleas,” he said, following her out of the room.  Through the door in the hall leading to the basement he called “Hssst!” several times, as though assisting the cat’s departure.  —John Galsworthy, The Forsyte Saga.>


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Copyright (c) 2000 Craig Conley