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hisser

to hoist, to raise

verb ee-SEH Rare
Travel & Places Transportation

Origin: Low German hissen ('to hoist')

Usage Note

Hisser is the standard nautical and ceremonial verb for raising a flag or sail: hisser les couleurs ('to hoist the colours'). The reflexive se hisser means to heave oneself up or to rise to a position through effort: se hisser au sommet ('to haul oneself to the top'). The initial h is aspirate — no liaison or elision.

Examples

"Ils ont hissé le drapeau au mât."

Natural Translation

They hoisted the flag up the mast.

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