The act of speaking in a quiet voice, especially, without vibration of the vocal cords.

(usually in the plural) A rumor.

(figurative) A faint trace or hint (of something).

A low rustling sound, like that of the wind in leaves.

(Internet) A private message to an individual in a chat room.

(intransitive) To speak softly, or under the breath, so as to be heard only by one near at hand; to utter words without sonant breath; to talk without that vibration in the larynx which gives sonorous, or vocal, sound.

(transitive) To mention privately and confidentially, or in a whisper.

(intransitive) To make a low, sibilant sound.

(intransitive) To speak with suspicion or timorous caution; to converse in whispers, as in secret plotting.