soundings
soundings Lexical Profile
soundings Game Scores & Validity
• noun
Measurements taken to determine the depth of a body of water, originally using a weighted line and now typically using sonar or echo signals.
"The hydrographic vessel took regular soundings along the coast to update the maritime navigation charts."
Cautious inquiries, preliminary investigations, or informal polls conducted to gauge opinions, intentions, or attitudes before taking official action.
"The committee took discreet soundings among senior faculty members before proposing the curriculum overhaul."
An area of water close enough to shore or shallow enough that its depth can be measured with a traditional sounding lead (typically less than 100 fathoms).
"After weeks crossing the deep ocean, the crew knew they had finally entered soundings when the color of the water changed."
• Rhymes for soundings
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from the Middle English verb 'sounden' (to measure water depth), borrowed from Old French 'sonder', which likely comes from Old English 'sund' (water, sea, or swimming) rather than the Latin root for audible noise.