: mechanical radiant energy that is transmitted by longitudinal pressure waves in a material medium (such as air) and is the objective cause of hearing
: an elongated instrument for exploring or sounding body cavities
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English contains several sound homographs, all with distinct histories. For example, the sound that means "something heard" descends from Latin sonus ("sound"), whereas the sound that means "to measure the depth of water" traces to Middle French sonde ("sounding line"). Another sound, as in "of sound mind and body," is the contemporary form of Old English's gesund. Gesund is related to several words in other languages, such as Old Saxon gisund ("sound"), Old Frisian sund ("fresh, unharmed, healthy"), and Gothic swinths ("sound" or "healthy"). Another relative is Old High German's gisunt ("healthy"), which led to modern German's gesund, the root of gesundheit.
valid implies being supported by objective truth or generally accepted authority.
a valid reason for being absent
a valid marriage
sound implies a basis of flawless reasoning or of solid grounds.
a sound proposal for reviving the economy
cogent may stress either weight of sound argument and evidence or lucidity of presentation.
the prosecutor's cogent summation won over the jury
convincing suggests a power to overcome doubt, opposition, or reluctance to accept.
a convincing argument for welfare reform
telling stresses an immediate and crucial effect striking at the heart of a matter.
a telling example of bureaucratic waste
Example Sentences
Adjective a building of sound construction The bridge is structurally sound. a sound mind in a sound body The tests show that his heart is sound. She used sound reasoning in making the decision. She gave us some sound advice. She has a sound understanding of the system's structure. The stock market has made a sound recovery. See More
Word History
Etymology
Noun (1)
Middle English soun, from Anglo-French son, sun, from Latin sonus, from sonare to sound; akin to Old English swinn melody, Sanskrit svanati it sounds
Adjective
Middle English, from Old English gesund; akin to Old High German gisunt healthy
Noun (2)
Middle English, from Old English sund swimming, sea & Old Norse sund swimming, strait; akin to Old English swimman to swim
Verb (2)
Middle English, from Middle French sonder, from Old French *sonde sounding line, probably from Old English or Middle English sund- (as in Old English sundlīne sounding line) from sund sea
Noun (3)
French sonde, from Middle French, literally, sounding line