Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Whist \Whist\, interj. [Cf. G. st! pst! bst! ???. Cf. {Hist}.]
   Be silent; be still; hush; silence.

Whist \Whist\, n. [From {Whist}, interj.]
   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, he 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.

Whist \Whist\, v. t. [From {Whist}, interj.]
   To hush or silence. [Obs.] --Spenser.

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

Whist \Whist\, a. [Properly p. p. of whist, v.]
   Not speaking; not making a noise; silent; mute; still; quiet.
   ``So whist and dead a silence.'' --Sir J. Harrington.

         The winds, with wonder whist, Smoothly the waters
         kissed.                                  --Milton.

   Note: This adjective generally follows its noun, or is used
         predicatively.

Whist \Whist\, n.

   {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. Whitecap \White"cap`\,
   n.
   A member of a self-appointed vigilance committee attempting
   by lynch-law methods to drive away or coerce persons
   obnoxious to it. Some early ones wore white hoods or masks.
   [U. S.] -- {White"cap`}, v. -- {White"cap`per}, n.

Source : WordNet®

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}]