Collins English-English Dictionary

sound [saυnd]

1. 1. n a periodic disturbance in the pressure or density of a fluid or in the elastic strain of a solid, produced by a vibrating object. It has a velocity in air at sea level at 0°C of 331 metres per second (741 miles per hour) and travels as longitudinal waves

2. 2. n (as modifier)

   a sound wave

3. 3. n [modifier] of or relating to radio as distinguished from television

   sound broadcasting

   sound radio

4. 4. n the sensation produced by such a periodic disturbance in the organs of hearing

5. 5. n anything that can be heard

6. 6. n a particular instance, quality, or type of sound

   the sound of running water

7. 7. n volume or quality of sound

   a radio with poor sound

8. 8. n the area or distance over which something can be heard

   to be born within the sound of Big Ben

9. 9. n the impression or implication of something

   I don't like the sound of that

10. 10. n [phonetics] the auditory effect produced by a specific articulation or set of related articulations

11. 11. n [often plural] [slang] music, esp rock, jazz, or pop

12. 12. vb to cause (something, such as an instrument) to make a sound or (of an instrument, etc) to emit a sound

13. 13. vb to announce or be announced by a sound

    to sound the alarm

14. 14. vi. [intr] (of a sound) to be heard

15. 15. vi. [intr] to resonate with a certain quality or intensity

    to sound loud

16. 16. vi. [copula] to give the impression of being as specified when read, heard, etc

    to sound reasonable

17. 17. vt. [tr] to pronounce distinctly or audibly

    to sound one's consonants

18. 18. vi. [intr; usually foll by in] [law] to have the essential quality or nature (of)

    an action sounding in damages

19. 19. vi. See also sound off

20. 20. vi. [Etymology] C13: from Old French soner to make a sound, from Latin sonare, from sonus a sound

sound [saυnd]

1. 1. adj free from damage, injury, decay, etc

2. 2. adj firm; solid; substantial

   a sound basis

3. 3. adj financially safe or stable

   a sound investment

4. 4. adj showing good judgment or reasoning; sensible; wise

   sound advice

5. 5. adj valid, logical, or justifiable

   a sound argument

6. 6. adj holding approved beliefs; ethically correct; upright; honest

7. 7. adj (of sleep) deep; peaceful; unbroken

8. 8. adj thorough; complete

   a sound examination

9. 9. adj [Brit] [informal] excellent

10. 10. adj [law] (of a title, etc) free from defect; legally valid

11. 11. adj constituting a valid and justifiable application of correct principles; orthodox

    sound theology

12. 12. adj [logic] (of a deductive argument) valid

13. 13. adj (of an inductive argument) according with whatever principles ensure the high probability of the truth of the conclusion given the truth of the premises

14. 14. adj another word for consistent

15. 15. adv soundly; deeply: now archaic except when applied to sleep

16. 16. adv [Etymology] Old English sund; related to Old Saxon gisund, Old High German gisunt

sound [saυnd]

1. 1. vb to measure the depth of (a well, the sea, etc) by lowering a plumb line, by sonar, etc

2. 2. vb to seek to discover (someone's views, etc), as by questioning

3. 3. vi. [intr] (of a whale, etc) to dive downwards swiftly and deeply

4. 4. vi. [med] to probe or explore (a bodily cavity or passage) by means of a sound

5. 5. vi. to examine (a patient) by means of percussion and auscultation

6. 6. n [med] an instrument for insertion into a bodily cavity or passage to dilate strictures, dislodge foreign material, etc

7. 7. n See also sound out

8. 8. n [Etymology] C14: from Old French sonder, from sonde sounding line, probably of Germanic origin; related to Old English sundgyrd sounding pole, Old Norse sund strait, sound⁴; see swim

sound [saυnd]

1. 1. n a relatively narrow channel between two larger areas of sea or between an island and the mainland

2. 2. n an inlet or deep bay of the sea

3. 3. n the air bladder of a fish

4. 4. n [Etymology] Old English sund swimming, narrow sea; related to Middle Low German sunt strait; see sound³