Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Lisp?

\Lisp\ (l[i^]sp), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Lisped} (l[i^]spt); p. pr. & vb. n. {Lisping}.] [OE. lispen, lipsen, AS. wlisp stammering, lisping; akin to D. & OHG. lispen to lisp, G. lispeln, Sw. l["a]spa, Dan. lespe.] 1. To pronounce the sibilant letter s imperfectly; to give s and z the sound of th; -- a defect common among children. 2. To speak with imperfect articulation; to mispronounce, as a child learning to talk. As yet a child, nor yet a fool to fame, I lisped in numbers, for the numbers came. --Pope. 3. To speak hesitatingly with a low voice, as if afraid. Lest when my lisping, guilty tongue should halt. --Drayton.
\Lisp\, v. t. 1. To pronounce with a lisp. 2. To utter with imperfect articulation; to express with words pronounced imperfectly or indistinctly, as a child speaks; hence, to express by the use of simple, childlike language. To speak unto them after their own capacity, and to lisp the words unto them according as the babes and children of that age might sound them again. --Tyndale. 3. To speak with reserve or concealment; to utter timidly or confidentially; as, to lisp treason.
\Lisp\, n. The habit or act of lisping. See {Lisp}, v. i., 1. I overheard her answer, with a very pretty lisp, ``O! Strephon, you are a dangerous creature.'' --Tatler.