1. (Physiol.) An instrument for exhibiting the transverse vibrations of cords, and ascertaining the relations
between musical notes. It consists of a cord stretched by weight along a box, and divided into different
lengths at pleasure by a bridge, the place of which is determined by a scale on the face of the box.
2. An instrument for testing the hearing capacity.
Sonorific
(Son`o*rif"ic) a. [L. sonor, -oris, a sound + facere to make. See Sonorous.] Producing
sound; as, the sonorific quality of a body. [R.] I. Watts.
Sonority
(So*nor"i*ty) n. [L. sonoritas.] The quality or state of being sonorous; sonorousness.
Sonorous
(So*no"rous) a. [L. sonorus, fr. sonor, -oris, a sound, akin to sonus a sound. See Sound.]
1. Giving sound when struck; resonant; as, sonorous metals.
2. Loud-sounding; giving a clear or loud sound; as, a sonorous voice.
3. Yielding sound; characterized by sound; vocal; sonant; as, the vowels are sonorous.
4. Impressive in sound; high- sounding.
The Italian opera, amidst all the meanness and familiarty of the thoughts, has something beautiful and
sonorous in the expression.
Addison.
There is nothing of the artificial Johnsonian balance in his style. It is as often marked by a pregnant
brevity as by a sonorous amplitude.
E. Everett. 5. (Med.) Sonant; vibrant; hence, of sounds produced in a cavity, deep-toned; as, sonorous rhonchi.
Sonorous figures (Physics), figures formed by the vibrations of a substance capable of emitting a
musical tone, as when the bow of a violin is drawn along the edge of a piece of glass or metal on which
sand is strewed, and the sand arranges itself in figures according to the musical tone. Called also acoustic
figures. — Sonorous tumor (Med.), a tumor which emits a clear, resonant sound on percussion.
— So*no"rous*ly, adv. — So*no"rous*ness, n.
Sonship
(Son"ship) n. The state of being a son, or of bearing the relation of a son; filiation. Dr. H.
More.
Sonsy
(Son"sy) a. See Soncy. [Scot.] Burns.
Sontag
(Son"tag) n. [So called from from Mme. Henriette Sontag, a famous singer.] A knitted worsted
jacket, worn over the waist of a woman's dress.
Sonties
(Son"ties) n. Probably from "saintes" saints, or from sanctities; — used as an oath. [Obs.] Shak.
Soochong
(Soo*chong") n. Same as Souchong.
Soodra
(||Soo"dra) Same as Sudra.
Soofee
(Soo"fee Soo"fee*ism) . Same as Sufi, Sufism.
Soojee
(Soo"jee) n. Same as Suji.
Soon
(Soon) adv. [OE. sone, AS. sna; cf. OFries. sn, OS. sana, sano, OHG. sar, Goth. suns.]
