sound

Everyday

1. Anything you can hear: "the sound of rain". tree →
2. As a verb, to seem when heard or read: "That sounds fun." tree →
3. As a verb, to make a sound or signal: "Sound the alarm." tree →
4. As an adjective, healthy, strong or sensible: "safe and sound", "sound advice". tree →
5. A narrow stretch of sea (in names: Puget Sound). tree →

In the lessons

In science, sound is made by vibrations that travel through air, water or solids to our ears; it cannot travel through empty space; loud sounds can damage hearing. In reading, letters stand for sounds (phonics). In safety: alarms and sirens are warning sounds. Phrases: sound like, safe and sound, sound asleep, speed of sound, sound effects.

Examples

• I heard a strange sound. tree →
• Sound travels through the air as vibrations. tree →
• That sounds like a great idea. tree →
• The letters "ph" make an "f" sound. tree →
• Sound the fire alarm! tree →
• The baby was sound asleep. tree →
• We got home safe and sound. tree →
• Sound can't travel through space. tree →
• “H’m!” said Billy. “It sounds very foolish. tree →

Note

After "sound" (seem) use an adjective: "sounds good". "Sounds like" + noun or sentence. Sound travels much slower than light, so you see lightning before you hear thunder. Loud music close to your ears can hurt hearing.

In Jewish tradition

Bells on the high priest's robe were heard when he entered the holy place, and the trumpet blasts (a "sound") called the people. Later books use it for blowing the horn and for loud cymbals in praise, and in Proverbs "sound wisdom" means healthy, reliable good sense.

Interpretation. Tradition reads the bells as a sign of respect when entering God's presence, and in Sefer Yetzirah the sounds of the letters are the building tools of creation. Psalm 150 is read as asking all music to praise God.

Examples

• But when the assembly is to be gathered together, ye shall blow, but ye shall not sound an alarm. (Torah NUM.10.7, JPS 1917) tree →
• And it shall be upon Aaron to minister; and the sound thereof shall be heard when he goeth in unto the holy place before the LORD, and when he cometh out, that he die not. (Torah EXO.28.35, JPS 1917) tree →
• These unmeaning sounds, they said, have magic power. (Sefer Yetzirah, Kalisch 1877) tree →
• And he that sounded the horn was by me. (Writings NEH.4.12, JPS 1917) tree →
• Praise Him with the loud-sounding cymbals; praise Him with the clanging cymbals. (Writings PSA.150.5, JPS 1917) tree →
• Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom; I am understanding, power is mine. (Writings PRO.8.14, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

After "sound" (seem) use an adjective: "sounds good". "Sounds like" + noun or sentence. Sound travels much slower than light, so you see lightning before you hear thunder. Loud music close to your ears can hurt hearing.