whist

Definitions

1. 1.Be silent; be still; hush; silence.
2. 2.A certain game at cards; -- so called because it requires silence and close attention. It is played by four persons (those who sit opposite each other being partners) with a complete pack of fifty-two cards. Each player has thirteen cards, and when these are played out, he hand is finished, and the cards are again shuffled and distributed. Note: Points are scored for the tricks taken in excess of six, and for the honors held. In long whist, now seldom played, ten points make the game; in short whist, now usually played in England, five points make the game. In American whist, so-called, honors are not counted, and seven points by tricks make the game.
3. 3.To hush or silence. [Obs.] Spenser.
4. 4.To be or become silent or still; to be hushed or mute. [R.] Surrey.
5. 5.Not speaking; not making a noise; silent; mute; still; quiet. "So whist and dead a silence." Sir J. Harrington. The winds, with wonder whist, Smoothly the waters kissed. Milton. Note: This adjective generally follows its noun, or is used predicatively.

Source: Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition (public domain, via GCIDE / Project Gutenberg).

Synonyms

Related questions

• What does "whist" mean?
• What is another word for "whist"?

Reverse-dictionary questions

Definition-first questions whose answer is whist.

• What is to be or become silent or still; to be hushed or mute. [R.] Surrey called?