sound

UK: saʊnd | US: saʊnd

Definition

  1. n. vibrations that travel through the air or another medium and can be heard when they reach the ear

  2. n. a narrow passage of water connecting two seas or other large areas of water

  3. adj. in good condition; not damaged or diseased

  4. v. to measure the depth of water (especially with a sounding line)

  5. v. to convey a specified impression when heard

Structure

No data yet.

Etymology

The word "sound" has a complex history with multiple origins:

  1. For the meaning related to noise (n./v.), it derives from Old English gesund ("noise, sound") and Latin sonus ("sound"), both from Proto-Indo-European swen- ("to sound").
  2. For the nautical term (n.), it comes from Old English sund ("swimming, sea"), related to Old Norse sund ("strait").
  3. The adjective ("healthy") traces back to Old English gesund ("whole, safe"), from Proto-Germanic gasundaz.
    Despite shared spelling, these are historically distinct words that merged in form.
Examples

  1. The sound of rain on the roof is soothing.

  2. The ship passed through the narrow sound at dawn.

  3. The building's structure remains sound after the earthquake.

  4. Sailors sounded the harbor for hidden reefs.

  5. His apology sounded sincere to everyone present.