hush
pronunciation
How to pronounce hush in British English:
UK [hʌʃ]
How to pronounce hush in American English:
US [hʌʃ]
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- Noun:
- (poetic) tranquil silence
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- Verb:
- become quiet or still; fall silent
- cause to be quiet or not talk
- become quiet or quieter
- wash by removing particles
- run water over the ground to erode (soil), revealing the underlying strata and valuable minerals
Word Origin
- hush (v.)
- 1540s, variant of Middle English huisht (late 14c.), probably of imitative origin, with terminal -t lost probably by being mistaken for a past tense suffix. Hush-hush (adj.) is 1916 reduplication. Related: Hushed; hushing. The noun is attested from 1680s. As an interjection meaning "be quiet," attested by c. 1600. To hush (one's) mouth "be quiet" is attested from 1878. Hush up "suppress talk for secrecy's sake" is from 1630s. Hush-money is attested from 1709. Hush-puppy "deep-fried ball of cornmeal batter" first attested 1899; as a type of lightweight soft shoe, it is a proprietary name, registered 1961.
Example
- 1. At once there is a hush in the air , as though the street is singing a silent benediction .
- 2. A sudden hush fell on the crowd as mr. summers cleared his throat and looked at the list.he called .
- 3. Hush , call no echo up in further proof
- 4. She laughs when she remembers her early obsession . " I can remember my mom screaming , ' would you please hush ! ' "
- 5. At once there is a hush in the air as though the street is singing a silent benediction . Tall leafy mangroves line both sides of the road .