Hist
/hɪst/noun
An interjection used to demand silence or attract quiet attention.
Did you know?“Hist!” is probably an imitative sound-word, shaped to resemble the sharp breath or hissing noise used to signal silence.
Etymological Timeline
Middle English, 14th Century
Middle English
hist
“An interjection calling for silence or quiet attention.”
Early Modern English, 16th Century
English
hist
“A command meaning “be quiet” or “listen.””
17th Century
English
hist
“A literary or dramatic signal for silence, often used in dialogue.”
18th–19th Century
English
hist
“An increasingly archaic exclamation used to hush someone or draw attention discreetly.”
Modern English
English
hist
“A rare, old-fashioned command for silence; likely formed through sound imitation.”