Psithurism
Psithurism is the rustling or whispering sound of wind moving through trees.
Full definition of Psithurism →:: COMPARE ::
PsithurismvsSusurration
The short answer
Near-synonyms with opposite practical value. Susurration is in current use and applies to any soft murmur; psithurism is obsolete and specifically arboreal. If you want to be understood rather than admired, use susurration.
Side by side
| Aspect | Psithurism | Susurration |
|---|---|---|
| Current use | No | Yes |
| Applies to | Trees only | Any murmur |
| In the OED | Yes | Yes |
| Understood | Rarely | Usually |
What each one means
Susurration
The contrast above sets out how Susurration differs from Psithurism on the points that actually matter.