sound 1
— soundable , adj.
/sownd/ , n.
1. the sensation produced by stimulation of the organs of hearing by vibrations transmitted through the air or other medium.
2. mechanical vibrations transmitted through an elastic medium, traveling in air at a speed of approximately 1087 ft. (331 m) per second at sea level.
3. the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause: the sound of music.
4. any auditory effect; any audible vibrational disturbance: all kinds of sounds.
5. a noise, vocal utterance, musical tone, or the like: the sounds from the next room.
6. a distinctive, characteristic, or recognizable musical style, as from a particular performer, orchestra, or type of arrangement: the big-band sound.
7. Phonet.
a. See speech sound .
b. the audible result of an utterance or portion of an utterance: the s-sound in "slight"; the sound of m in "mere."
8. the auditory effect of sound waves as transmitted or recorded by a particular system of sound reproduction: the sound of a stereophonic recording.
9. the quality of an event, letter, etc., as it affects a person: This report has a bad sound.
10. the distance within which the noise of something may be heard.
11. mere noise, without meaning: all sound and fury.
12. Archaic. a report or rumor; news; tidings.
v.i.
13. to make or emit a sound.
14. to give forth a sound as a call or summons: The bugle sounded as the troops advanced.
15. to be heard, as a sound.
16. to convey a certain impression when heard or read: to sound strange.
17. to give a specific sound: to sound loud.
18. to give the appearance of being; seem: The report sounds true.
19. Law. to have as its basis or foundation (usually fol. by in ): His action sounds in contract.
v.t.
20. to cause to make or emit a sound: to sound a bell.
21. to give forth (a sound): The oboe sounded an A.
22. to announce, order, or direct by or as by a sound: The bugle sounded retreat. His speech sounded a warning to aggressor nations.
23. to utter audibly, pronounce, or express: to sound each letter.
24. to examine by percussion or auscultation: to sound a patient's chest.
25. sound off , Informal.
a. to call out one's name, as at military roll call.
b. to speak freely or frankly, esp. to complain in such a manner.
c. to exaggerate; boast: Has he been sounding off about his golf game again?
[ 1250-1300; (n.) ME soun son ) sonus; (v.) ME sounen suner sonare, deriv. of sonus ]
Syn. 1. SOUND, NOISE, TONE refer to something heard. SOUND and NOISE are often used interchangeably for anything perceived by means of hearing. SOUND, however, is more general in application, being used for anything within earshot: the sound of running water. NOISE, caused by irregular vibrations, is more properly applied to a loud, discordant, or unpleasant sound: the noise of shouting. TONE is applied to a musical sound having a certain quality, resonance, and pitch.
sound 2
— soundly , adv. — soundness , n.
/sownd/ , adj., sounder, soundest , adv.
adj.
1. free from injury, damage, defect, disease, etc.; in good condition; healthy; robust: a sound heart; a sound mind.
2. financially strong, secure, or reliable: a sound business; sound investments.
3. competent, sensible, or valid: sound judgment.
4. having no defect as to truth, justice, wisdom, or reason: sound advice.
5. of substantial or enduring character: sound moral values.
6. following in a systematic pattern without any apparent defect in logic: sound reasoning.
7. uninterrupted and untroubled; deep: sound sleep.
8. vigorous, thorough, or severe: a sound thrashing.
9. free from moral defect or weakness; upright, honest, or good; honorable; loyal.
10. having no legal defect: a sound title to property.
11. theologically correct or orthodox, as doctrines or a theologian.
adv.
12. deeply; thoroughly: sound asleep.
[ 1150-1200; ME sund, OE gesund (see Y-); c. D gezond, G gesund ]
Syn. 1. unharmed, whole, hale, unbroken, hardy. 2. solvent. 4, 6 . valid, rational, logical.
sound 3
— soundable , adj.
/sownd/ , v.t.
1. to measure or try the depth of (water, a deep hole, etc.) by letting down a lead or plummet at the end of a line, or by some equivalent means.
2. to measure (depth) in such a manner, as at sea.
3. to examine or test (the bottom, as of the sea or a deep hole) with a lead that brings up adhering bits of matter.
4. to examine or investigate; seek to fathom or ascertain: to sound a person's views.
5. to seek to elicit the views or sentiments of (a person) by indirect inquiries, suggestive allusions, etc. (often fol. by out ): Why not sound him out about working for us?
6. Surg. to examine, as the urinary bladder, with a sound.
v.i.
7. to use the lead and line or some other device for measuring depth, as at sea.
8. to go down or touch bottom, as a lead.
9. to plunge downward or dive, as a whale.
10. to make investigation; seek information, esp. by indirect inquiries.
n.
11. Surg. a long, slender instrument for sounding or exploring body cavities or canals.
[ 1300-50; ME sounden sonder to plumb, deriv. of sonde sounding line ]
sound 4
/sownd/ , n.
1. a relatively narrow passage of water between larger bodies of water or between the mainland and an island: Long Island Sound.
2. an inlet, arm, or recessed portion of the sea: Puget Sound.
3. the air bladder of a fish.
[ bef. 900; ME; OE sund act of swimming; akin to SWIM ]