Sound \Sound\, a. [Compar. Sounder; superl. Soundest.]
[OE.
sound, AS. sund; akin to D. gezond, G. gesund, OHG. gisunt,
Dan. & Sw. sund, and perhaps to L. sanus. Cf. Sane.]
1. Whole; unbroken; unharmed; free from flaw, defect, or
decay; perfect of the kind; as, sound timber; sound fruit;
a sound tooth; a sound ship.
2. Healthy; not diseased; not being in a morbid state; --
said of body or mind; as, a sound body; a sound
constitution; a sound understanding.
3. Firm; strong; safe.
The brasswork here, how rich it is in beams, And
how, besides, it makes the whole house sound.
--Chapman.
4. Free from error; correct; right; honest; true; faithful;
orthodox; -- said of persons; as, a sound lawyer; a sound
thinker.
Do not I know you a favorer Of this new seat? Ye are
nor sound. --Shak.
5. Founded in truth or right; supported by justice; not to be
overthrown on refuted; not fallacious; as, sound argument
or reasoning; a sound objection; sound doctrine; sound
principles.
Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast
heard of me. --2 Tim. i.
13.
6. heavy; laid on with force; as, a sound beating.
7. Undisturbed; deep; profound; as, sound sleep.
8. Founded in law; legal; valid; not defective; as, a sound
title to land.
Note: Sound is sometimes used in the formation of
self-explaining compounds; as, sound-headed,
sound-hearted, sound-timbered, etc.
Sound currency (Com.), a currency whose actual value is the
same as its nominal value; a currency which does not
deteriorate or depreciate or fluctuate in comparision with
the standard of values.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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