Word of the Day - swish

swish

/swɪʃ/
verb
1 no object, with adverbial of direction Move with a hissing or rushing sound.
1.1 with object Cause to move with a hissing or rushing sound.
1.2 Aim a swinging blow at something.
2 Basketball - with object Sink (a shot) without the ball touching the backboard or rim.
noun
1 A hissing or rustling sound.
1.1 A rapid swinging movement.
2 Basketball - informal A shot that goes through the basket without touching the backboard or rim.
3 North American informal, offensive An effeminate male homosexual.
adjective
1 British informal Impressively smart and fashionable.
2 US informal, offensive (of a man) effeminate.

Origin
Mid 18th century imitative.

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The hissing swish of tires in the moderate rain also resulted in clouds of dense mist
thrown up by the treads of tires. Tom found it difficult to judge the
distance to the car in front of him in the twilight. He wished all
vehicles had automatic or always-on lights. If not that, how about
efficient road-grabbing tires which didn't also spew water back into the
air. His knuckles ached from his grip on the steering wheel. "Please,
God, no more semi-trailers in the next lane tonight!"