Soundness

sound ¹  (sound)

n.

1.

a. Vibrations transmitted through an elastic solid or a liquid or gas, with frequencies in the approximate range of 20 to 20,000 hertz, capable of being detected by human organs of hearing.

b. Transmitted vibrations of any frequency.

c. The sensation stimulated in the organs of hearing by such vibrations in the air or other medium.

d. Such sensations considered as a group.

2. A distinctive noise: a hollow sound.

3. The distance over which something can be heard: within sound of my voice.

4. Linguistics

a. An articulation made by the vocal apparatus: a vowel sound.

b. The distinctive character of such an articulation: The words bear and bare have the same sound.

5. A mental impression; an implication: didn't like the sound of the invitation.

6. Auditory material that is recorded, as for a movie.

7. Meaningless noise.

8. Music A distinctive style, as of an orchestra or a singer.

9. Archaic Rumor; report.

v. sound·ed, sound·ing, sounds

v.intr.

1.

a. To make or give forth a sound: The siren sounded.

b. To be given forth as a sound: The fanfare sounded.

2. To present a particular impression: That argument sounds reasonable.

v.tr.

1. To cause to give forth or produce a sound: sounded the gong.

2. To summon, announce, or signal by a sound: sound a warning.

3. Linguistics To articulate; pronounce: sound a vowel.

4. To make known; celebrate: "Nations unborn your mighty names shall sound" Alexander Pope.

5. To examine (a body organ or part) by causing to emit sound; auscultate.

Phrasal Verb:

sound off

1. To express one's views vigorously: was always sounding off about higher taxes.

2. To count cadence when marching in military formation.

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[Middle English soun, from Old French son, from Latin sonus; see swen- in Indo-European roots.]

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sound ²  (sound)

adj. sound·er, sound·est

1. Free from defect, decay, or damage; in good condition.

2. Free from disease or injury. See Synonyms at healthy.

3. Having a firm basis; unshakable: a sound foundation.

4. Financially secure or safe: a sound economy.

5.

a. Based on valid reasoning: a sound observation. See Synonyms at valid.

b. Free from logical flaws: sound reasoning.

c. Logic Of or relating to an argument in which all the premises are true and the conclusion follows from the premises.

6. Thorough; complete: a sound flogging.

7. Deep and unbroken; undisturbed: a sound sleep.

8. Free from moral defect; upright.

9. Worthy of confidence; trustworthy.

10. Marked by or showing common sense and good judgment; levelheaded: a sound approach to the problem.

11. Compatible with an accepted point of view; conservative.

12. Law Legally valid.

adv.

Thoroughly; deeply: sound asleep.

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[Middle English, from Old English gesund.]

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soundly adv.

soundness n.

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sound ³  (sound)

n.

1. Abbr. Sd.

a. A long, relatively wide body of water, larger than a strait or a channel, connecting larger bodies of water.

b. A long, wide ocean inlet.

2. The air bladder of a fish.

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[Middle English, from Old English sund, swimming, sea.]

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	soundness - a state or condition free from damage or decay condition, status - a state at a particular time; "a condition (or state) of disrepair"; "the current status of the arms negotiations" seaworthiness, fitness - fitness to traverse the seas airworthiness - fitness to fly; "the plane received a certificate of airworthiness" unsoundness - a condition of damage or decay
	2.	soundness - the quality of being prudent and sensible wiseness, wisdom goodness, good - that which is pleasing or valuable or useful; "weigh the good against the bad"; "among the highest goods of all are happiness and self-realization" advisability - the quality of being advisable; "they questioned the advisability of our policy" reasonableness - goodness of reason and judgment; "the judiciary is built on the reasonableness of judges" unsoundness - not mentally or physically healthy; "no one can be a poet without a certain unsoundness of mind"
	3.	soundness - the muscle tone of healthy tissue; "his muscular firmness" firmness strength - the property of being physically or mentally strong; "fatigue sapped his strength" unsoundness - not mentally or physically healthy; "no one can be a poet without a certain unsoundness of mind"