sound

sound¹

noun

1》 vibrations which travel through the air or another medium and are sensed by the ear.

    ↘a thing that can be heard.

    ↘the area within which something can be heard.

2》 (also musical sound) sound produced by continuous and regular vibrations, as opposed to noise.

3》 music, speech, and sound effects accompanying a film or broadcast.

    ↘radio broadcasting as distinct from television.

4》 an idea or impression conveyed by words.

verb

1》 emit or cause to emit sound.

    ↘utter.

2》 convey a specified impression when heard.

3》 (sound off) express one's opinions loudly or forcefully.

4》 test (the lungs or another body cavity) by noting the sound they produce.

Derivatives

soundless adjective

soundlessly adverb

soundlessness noun

Origin

ME soun, from Anglo-Norman Fr. soun (n.), suner (v.), from L. sonus.

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sound²

adjective

1》 in good condition.

    ↘financially secure.

    ↘Brit. informal excellent.

2》 based on reason or judgement.

    ↘competent or reliable.

3》 (of sleep) deep and unbroken.

4》 severe: a sound thrashing.

adverb soundly.

Derivatives

soundly adverb

soundness noun

Origin

ME: from OE gesund, of W. Gmc origin.

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sound³

verb

1》 ascertain (the depth of water in the sea, a lake, etc.) by means of a line or pole or using sound echoes.

    ↘find the depth of water in (a ship's hold).

2》 Medicine examine (the bladder or other internal cavity) with a long surgical probe.

3》 (sound someone out) question someone discreetly or cautiously.

4》 (especially of a whale) dive steeply to a great depth.

noun a long surgical probe, typically with a curved, blunt end.

Derivatives

sounder noun

Origin

ME: from OFr. sonder, based on L. sub- 'below' + unda 'wave'.

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sound⁴

noun a narrow stretch of water forming an inlet or connecting two larger bodies of water.

Origin

ME: from ON sund 'swimming, strait'; related to swim.