whist /ˈhwɪst, ˈwɪst/



 Whist interj.  Be silent; be still; hush; silence.


 Whist, n.  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, the 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.
 -- Bridge whist. See Bridge, n., above.
 Duplicate whist, a form of whist in playing which the hands are preserved as dealt and played again by other players, as when each side holds in the second round the cards played by the opposing side in the first round.
 Solo whist. See Solo whist, above.


 Whist, v. t.  To hush or silence.  [Obs.]


 Whist, v. i. To be or become silent or still; to be hushed or mute.  [R.]


 Whist, a.  Not speaking; not making a noise; silent; mute; still; quiet.  “So whist and dead a silence.”
 The winds, with wonder whist,
 Smoothly the waters kissed.   --Milton.
 Note: ☞ This adjective generally follows its noun, or is used predicatively.

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 whist
      n : a card game for four players who form two partnerships; a
          pack of 52 cards is dealt and each side scores one point
          for each trick it takes in excess of six [syn: {long
          whist, short whist]