WHISKER Meaning and
Definition
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A whisker typically refers to a long, stiff hair that grows near the mouth or other sensitive parts of an animal's body. It is commonly found on mammals, particularly in species like cats, dogs, and rodents. Whiskers are highly specialized tactile organs that aid in an animal's perception of its surroundings. They are rooted deep within the skin and contain numerous nerve endings, making them extremely sensitive to touch, air currents, and even vibrations.
The term "whisker" can also be used metaphorically to describe anything similar to an animal's whisker, such as thin and delicate objects that extend outwards. For instance, in electronics or physics, a whisker may refer to an unintended thin filament that grows on the surface of a metal, often causing short circuits or interference in electronic components.
Furthermore, in sports, the word "whisker" can be used to describe a narrow margin of victory or loss, highlighting a close call or a hairbreadth difference. This usage is commonly found in events like races or competitions wherein the outcome is determined by a small, often imperceptible amount.
Overall, whether referring to a cat's sensory hair, a fine filament in electronics, or a narrow victory, the term "whisker" represents an element of extreme sensitivity, precision, and subtlety.
Top Common Misspellings for WHISKER *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for WHISKER
Etymology of WHISKER
The word "whisker" originated from the Middle English word "wisker", which can be traced back to the Old Norse word "viskr" meaning "vigor, inspiration". The Old Norse word was brought to England during the Viking Age and eventually evolved into "wisker". In the 16th century, the spelling of the word evolved to "whisker" as influenced by the word "whisk", which referred to a quick sweeping or brushing movement. The term was used to describe the bristles or projecting hairs on the muzzle of animals like cats and dogs, and later extended to refer to the facial hair growing on the cheeks and chin of humans.
Idioms with the word WHISKER
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by a whisker
The idiom "by a whisker" means to win or achieve something narrowly, often by a very small margin or by just a small amount. It implies that the outcome was extremely close and could have easily gone the other way.
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come within a whisker of (doing) sth
The idiom "come within a whisker of (doing) sth" means to come extremely close to achieving or experiencing something, often narrowly missing it. It implies being just a hair's breadth away from accomplishing a goal or encountering a particular outcome.
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come within a whisker of
The idiom "come within a whisker of" means to come very close to achieving or experiencing something, almost reaching a goal or narrowly missing it. It implies being on the verge of accomplishing something significant but falling just short.
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within a whisker of sth
Within a whisker of something means to be extremely close to something or almost achieving or accomplishing it. It implies a very narrow margin or a very small distance separating the subject from the desired outcome or target.
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come within a whisker of sth/doing sth
The idiom "come within a whisker of something/doing something" means to come very close to achieving or accomplishing something, but narrowly missing it. It implies an extremely near miss or a situation where success was almost achieved but fell just short. "Whisker" refers to a very small margin or amount, emphasizing the narrowness of the near miss.
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within a whisker of
The idiom "within a whisker of" means being extremely close to achieving or experiencing something. It signifies being on the verge of attaining or narrowly missing a particular outcome or result.
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do something by a whisker
The idiom "do something by a whisker" means to narrowly accomplish or achieve something, often implying that success was achieved with very little margin or by a very slim margin. It suggests that the outcome was very close and could have easily gone the other way.
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come within a whisker of (something)
The idiom "come within a whisker of (something)" means to come very close or be on the verge of achieving or experiencing something, but ultimately falling just short of it. It implies being extremely close to reaching a goal, success, or outcome, but narrowly missing it. This idiom is often used to emphasize the small margin or slight difference between success and failure.
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be, come, etc. within a whisker of something/of doing something
The idiom "be, come, etc. within a whisker of something/of doing something" means to be very close to achieving or experiencing something, or to narrowly miss out on it. It implies just a small amount or slight difference between success or failure. The phrase is often used to emphasize how close the person or thing in question came to the desired outcome.
Similar spelling words for WHISKER
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