▪ I. hushing, vbl. n.1
(ˈhʌʃɪŋ)
[f. hush v.1 + -ing1.]
The action of hush v.1; the action of rendering still, silent, or quiet; the whispering of sh! as in enjoining silence. hushing up: see hush v.1 3.
| 1813 L. Hunt Poems, To T― B― Esq., With thousand tiny hushings, like the swarm Of atom bees. 1831 [Pote] Assassins Paradise 41 But whisper'd hushings checked the words that broke. 1849 Mrs. Peabody in Hawthorne & Wife (1885) I. 338 She believed that it was better for all, even for the criminals, that there should be no hushings-up. |
▪ II. hushing, vbl. n.2
see hush v.3
▪ III. hushing, ppl. a.
[f. hush v.1 + -ing2.]
That hushes: see the verb.
| 1561 T. Hoby tr. Castiglione's Courtyer (1577) Y iij b, The tunable notes of the prety birds among the hushyng woodes of the hilles. 1800 L. Hunt Robin Hood Poems 141 The coffin was stript of it's hiding pall, Amidst the hushing choirs. 1820 Keats Hyperion ii. 119 When a God gives sign, With hushing finger. 1870 Morris Earthly Par. II. iii. 183 More vocal through the hushing night. |
Hence ˈhushingly adv., in a hushing manner; with the sound sh! as in enjoining silence.
| 1833 Ritchie Wand. by Loire 10 The echo of our measured, tiptoe tread ran hushingly round the vault. 1841 Hor. Smith Moneyed Man III. i. 6 The waves..laid themselves hushingly upon the sands, as if to caution us to silence. |