whist/ˈwɪst/EtymologyAlteration of whisk, perhaps so called from the notion of “whisking” up cards after each trick. Altered perhaps on assumption that the word was an interjection invoking silence, by influence of whist (“silent”).nounAny of several four-player card games, similar to bridge.A session of playing this card game.adjSilent, hushed.“Come unto these yellow sands, / And then take hands: / Courtsied when you have and kiss'd / The wild waves whist, / Foot it featly here and there; / And, sweet sprites, the burthen bear.[…]”intjOnomatopoeia for slicing.“Well! she laid down her little golden head without fear; and whist! down came the axe, and it was off. So the mother wiped the axe and laughed.”verbTo hush or shush; to still.“o was the Titaness put downe and whist”To become silent.“The fields whist, beasts, and fowls of divers bue”