Main Entry: ¹sib·i·lant

Pronunciation: \ˈsi-bə-lənt\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Latin sibilant-, sibilans, present participle of sibilare to hiss, whistle, of imitative origin

Date: 1669

: having, containing, or producing the sound of or a sound resembling that of the s or the sh in sash <a sibilant affricate> <a sibilant snake>

— sib·i·lant·ly adverb