~ 1
■ 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 ~ ) ~ produced by continuous and regular vibrations, as opposed to noise.
3》 music, speech, and ~ 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 ~.
↘utter.
2》 convey a specified impression when heard.
3》 ( ~ off ) express one's opinions loudly or forcefully.
4》 test (the lungs or another body cavity) by noting the ~ they produce.
Derivatives
~less adjective
~lessly adverb
~lessness noun
Origin
ME soun , from Anglo-Norman Fr. soun (n.), suner (v.), from L. sonus .
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~ 2
■ 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 ~ thrashing.
■ adverb ~ly.
Derivatives
~ly adverb
~ness noun
Origin
ME: from OE gesund , of W. Gmc origin.
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~ 3
■ verb
1》 ascertain (the depth of water in the sea, a lake, etc.) by means of a line or pole or using ~ 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》 ( ~ 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
~er noun
Origin
ME: from OFr. sonder , based on L. sub- 'below' + unda 'wave'.
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~ 4
■ 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 .