sounding
/'saundiɳ/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective:
- Making or having a sound as specified: Used as a combining form to describe the type of sound something produces.
- Having volume or resonance; sonorous: Describing a sound that is full, deep, or impressive.
- Appearing to be as specified; usually used as a combining form: Describing the impression given by something's appearance or language, often superficial.
Noun:
- The act of measuring the depth of water: Typically done with a weighted line (sounding line) or other device.
- A measurement of depth obtained by such an act.
Usage and Examples
Adjective:
- The harsh-sounding noise from the machine was unbearable. (Describes the type of sound.)
- The fine-sounding promises of the politician convinced many voters. (Describes impressive but potentially superficial language.)
- The sounding brass echoed through the hall. (Describes a deep, resonant sound.)
Noun:
- The sailor took a sounding to ensure the ship was in safe waters. (Refers to the act of measuring depth.)
- The sounding indicated a depth of thirty meters. (Refers to the specific depth measurement.)
Advanced Usage
- As a combining form (-sounding): Used to create compound adjectives describing auditory quality or superficial impression.
- A sweet-sounding melody. (A melody that sounds sweet.)
- High-sounding rhetoric. (Language that sounds impressive but may lack substance.)
Variants and Related Words
- Sound (verb/noun): The root word. As a verb: to measure depth, to produce noise. As a noun: vibrations perceived by hearing.
- Sounder (noun): A device or person that measures depth (sounds).
- Sounding line / lead line (noun): A weighted line used to measure water depth.
Synonyms
- Adjective (resonant): Sonorous, resonant, ringing.
- Adjective (superficial): Ostensible, seeming, apparent.
- Noun (measurement): Depth measurement, bathymetry, fathoming.
Related Phrases
- To take soundings: To measure depths; figuratively, to gather opinions or information cautiously.
- The company is taking soundings before launching the new product. (The company is gathering preliminary feedback.)
Idioms
- To strike a sounding blow: To deliver a powerful, resonant, or significant strike (literal or figurative).
- His speech struck a sounding blow against injustice. (His speech was a powerful attack on injustice.)
- Sounding brass: A metaphor for something that makes a loud, impressive noise but is hollow or insubstantial. (From the biblical reference "sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal").
- His flattery was just sounding brass, with no real feeling behind it. (His praise was empty and insincere.)
Adjective
- making or having a sound as specified; used as a combining form
- harsh-sounding
- having volume or deepness
- sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal
- the sounding cataract haunted me like a passion- Wordsworth
- appearing to be as specified; usually used as combining forms
- left their clothes dirty looking
- a most disagreeable looking character
- angry-looking
- liquid-looking
- severe-looking policemen on noble horses
- fine-sounding phrases
- taken in by high-sounding talk
Noun
- the act of measuring depth of water (usually with a sounding line)
- a measure of the depth of water taken with a sounding line