I.a. [sibilus] (class. but rare).
I. Neutr., to hiss, to whistle: “imitationis hoc modo, ut majores rudere et vagire et mugire et murmurare et sibilare appellaverunt,” Auct. Her. 4, 31, 42: (serpens) sibilat ore, * Verg. A. 11, 754; “so of a serpent,” Prop. 4 (5), 7, 54. Ov M. 4, 588.—Of gossips: contemplent, conspiciant omnes, nutent, nictent, sibilent, * Plaut. Merc. 2, 3, 72.—Of things: “illud (ferrum igne rubens) Stridet et in trepidā submersum sibilat undā,” Ov. M. 12, 279: “stridor rudentum sibilat,” whistles, Sil. 17, 258; cf. “aura,” Luc. 2, 698: “tempestas,” Quint. Decl. 12, 16: “horrendo fragore sibilantibus armis,” Amm. 31, 12, 12.—
II. Act., to hiss, i. e. to hiss at, hiss down a person, Cic. Att. 2, 19, 2: populus me sibilat; “at mihi plaudo Ipse domi,” Hor. S. 1, 1, 66.
