Forms: 3–4 sund(e, 4–5 sond(e, 6 soende; 3–6 sounde, 4–6 sownd(e (5 sowunde); 3– sound (5 sount), 9 dial. soun’, zound, zoun’, soond, soon’. [ME. sund, representing OE. ʓesund I-SOUND a. The prefix has also disappeared in some of the Continental languages, as WFris. soun (sûn, sûnd), NFris. sünn (sünj), MDu. (eastern) sunt, sont, sond-, MLG. sunt, sund- (LG. sund; hence Da. and Sw. sund), but remains in Du. gezond, G. gesund.]
I. 1. Of persons, animals, etc.: Free from disease, infirmity or injury; having or enjoying bodily health; healthy, robust. Usu. predicative.
In ME. the prominent sense was ‘unhurt, uninjured, unwounded.’ The first group illustrates the frequent usage with another adj. (or adv.): see also SAFE a. 1 b, c, and WHOLE a.
(a) c. 1200. Ormin, 14818. Godess follc all hal & sund Comm wel þurrh Godd to lande.
c. 1220. Bestiary, 518. Ðis fis wuneð wið ðe se grund, and liueð ðer eure heil and sund.
a. 1310. in Wright, Lyric P., xxx. 89. Withoute gold other eny tresor he [man] mai be sound ant sete.
c. 1374. Chaucer, Troylus, III. 1526. God us graunte sounde and sone to mete!
c. 1400. Laud Troy Bk., 16534. He bad god … Brynge hem thedir sound & sone.
c. 1440. Pallad. on Husb., I. 55. Yf thou se the puple sounde and fair.
1557. Tusser, 100 Points Husb., lvi. A kow good of milk, big of bulke, hayle and sounde. Ibid. (1573), Husb. (1878), 115. Then shall thy cattel be lustie and sound.
(b) a. 1300. Cursor M., 4350. Þi luue me has broght to grund, Þat i mai neuer mar be sund.
13[?]. Sir Beues (A.), 231. A stalword man and hardi, While he was sounde.
c. 1450. Mirk’s Festial, 13. Anon he com to hom,… and holpe hom soo, þat þay comen sonde to hauen.
1508. Dunbar, Poems, iv. 10. The stait of man dois change & vary, Now sound, now seik, now blyth, now sary.
1596. Harington, in Metam. Ajax (1814), 47. If it [your hawk’s casting] be all black, you shall see and smell she is not sound.
1605. Shaks., Lear, II. iv. 113. To take the indispos’d and sickly fit, For the sound man.
1660. F. Brooke, trans. Le Blanc’s Trav., 129. A slave of a high price, of thirty yeares age, beautiful, sound, and jolly.
1722. De Foe, Plague, 150. They were known to be all sound and in good health.
1791. ‘G. Gambado,’ Ann. Horsem., x. (1809), 108. I have bought a grey gelding lately,… they assured me he was sound.
1849. Claridge, Cold Water Cure, 84. The sound man has purer tastes, independent of his greater self-command.
1854. Chambers’s Jrnl., July, 91/2. Here is a very fine boy, seven years of age, warranted sound—what do you say for him? I put him up at 500 dollars.
1898. Watts-Dunton, Aylwin, II. iv. (1899), 71. A bird with a broken wing would be always more to you than a sound one!
absol. 1597. Hooker, Eccl. Pol., V. lxviii. (1611), 368. Sound and sicke remaining both of the same body.
1601. Shaks., All’s Well, IV. iii. 189. The muster file, rotten and sound, vppon my life amounts not to fifteene thousand pole.
1670. Baxter, Cure Ch. Div., Pref. 1. There are the wise and the foolish, the sound and the sick.
1722. De Foe, Plague, 184. The apothecaries and surgeons knew not how to discover the sick from the sound.
1817. Shelley, Rev. Islam, X. xxii. Some, ere life was spent, Sought … to shed Contagion on the sound.
fig. 1765. Francis, trans. Horace, Odes (ed. 7), II. iv. 27. Heart-hold [sic] and sound I laud her Charms.
b. Const. of or in (the limbs, mind, etc.).
Sound of all four: cf. FOUR a. 2 d.
1471. in Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm., Var. Coll. IV. 182. Sownde of mynde, sore wowndede, dredyng the parel of dethe.
1577. B. Googe, Heresbach’s Husb., III. (1586), 114 b. The Horse that is not sounde of his Feete.
1599. Shaks., Hen. V., III. vi. 27. Bardolph, a Souldier firme and sound of heart.
1636. Massinger, Bashful Lover, IV. i. She’s sound of wind and limb.
1697. Dryden, Virg. Georg., III. 120. The Colt … Of able Body, sound of Limb and Wind.
1807. Crabbe, Par. Reg., I. 109. Safe from all want, and sound in every limb.
1889. Horse & Hound, 24 Aug., 516/2. Horses described as ‘good hunters’ must not only be sound in ‘wind and eyes,’ but must have been hunted.
1890. Conan Doyle, White Company, x. I am still long of breath and sound in limb.
c. In the phr. as sound as a bell. Also fig. of the heart.
See also ROACH sb.1 1 b and TROUT sb.
1576. Newton, Lemnie’s Complex. (1633), 175. They be people commonly healthy, and as sound as a Bell.
1599. Shaks., Much Ado, III. ii. 13. He hath a heart as sound as a bell.
1608. Topsell, Serpents (1658), 621. From that time forwards, he remained well and lusty, and as sound as a Bell.
1623. J. Taylor (Water P.), New Discov., A v. Blinde Fortune did so happily contriue, That we (as sound as bells) did safe ariue At Douer.
1865. Sketches fr. Cambr., 26. As for you, however, you are as sound as a bell.
1898. Hal Godfrey, in Pall Mall Mag., July, 306. A single man … with prospects, an’ as sound as a bell,… is not to be had every day.
d. Said of appetite, health, etc.
1591. Sylvester, Du Bartas, I. iv. When wilfully his tasteless Taste delights In things unsavory to sound appetites.
1605. Shaks., Macb., V. iii. 52. Finde her Disease, And purge it to a sound and pristine Health.
1856. Kane, Arct. Expl., I. xvi. 191. In spite of all my efforts to keep up an example of sound bearing I fainted twice on the snow.
2. Of parts of the body, the constitution, etc.: Not affected by disease, decay or injury.
Also † to make (a wound) sound, to heal or cure.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 26925. And quils þat neunes es in wonde Es plaster nan mai mak it sond.
1390. Gower, Conf., II. 266. Sche tok … Of herbes al the beste jus, And poured it into his wounde; That made his veynes fulle and sounde.
1560. Bible (Geneva), Prov. xiv. 30. A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but enuie is the rotting of the bones.
1577. B. Googe, trans. Heresbach’s Husb., III. 155. You may geue them … the bones them selues broosed, which wyll make theyr teeth the sounder.
1590. Spenser, F. Q., III. xii. 33. The wyde wound … Was closed vp,… And euery part to safety full sound, As she were neuer hurt, was soone restor’d.
1621. T. Williamson, trans. Goulart’s Wise Vieillard, 9. Thou art quick of hearing, thy teeth are sound.
1630. R. Johnson’s Kingd. & Commw., 116. Of stature they are tall, of a sound constitution.
1750. trans. Leonardus’ Mirr. Stones, 83. It [Coral] makes sound the wasted Gums.
1779. Mirror, No. 67. I wished to change it while I had a sound constitution, which I owed to Nature.
1803. Med. Jrnl., X. 370. When a broken fragment of bone is driven beneath the sound contiguous part of the cranium.
1843. R. J. Graves, Syst. Clin. Med., xi. 122. The brain is found to be perfectly sound and normal.
1898. Allbutt’s Syst. Med., V. 74. Inability to lie on the sound side.
b. Of the mind, heart, etc., with reference to intellectual or moral qualities.
Freq. in citations or echoes of Juvenal Sat. x. 356 Mens sana in corpore sano.
1531. Tindale, Exp. 1 John (1537), 97. It is the moost felicite that can be to haue a sounde mynde in a sounde body.
1577. Harrison, England, II. xii. (1877), I. 239. They haue noted three things within their sound remembrance.
1598. Rowlands, Betraying of Christ, 15. Sound conscience well is said like wall of brasse; Corrupted, fit compar’d to broken glasse.
1652. Evelyn, State France, Misc. Writ. (1805), 56. A prince of weak fabric and constitution, but sound intellectuals.
1675. Owen, Indwelling Sin, ix. (1732), 111. To endeavour after a sound and stedfast Mind.
1729. Law, Serious C., xi. 163. The solid enjoyments, and real happiness of a sound mind.
1780. Mirror, No. 86. Since a sound mind, according to the well-known apophthegm, is in natural alliance with a sound body.
1820. Scott, Monast., xxi. I must trust to good sword, strong arm, and sound heart.
1876. Trevelyan, Life & Lett. Ld. Macaulay, II. ix. 122. The promptings of a sound manly heart.
c. Of a place: Morally healthy.
1876. Miss Yonge, Womankind, xxiii. 195. Servants who have once, as young girls, been landed in a kind, sound place, where they are well cared for.
3. Free from damage, decay, or special defect; unimpaired, uninjured; in good condition or repair.
c. 1290. St. Dominic, 220, in S. Eng. Leg., I. 284. Þe holie manness bokes it weren…, Also sounde huy weren and druye ase huy euer er were.
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., XVI. vii. (Bodl. MS.). Quyke siluer … is ful longe ikepte i colde uessels and sownde.
c. 1440. Pallad. on Husb., XII. 357. Ther cannes styke; on hem sarmentis plie, With grapes faire & sounde aparty hie.
1555. Eden, Decades, II. II. (Arb.), 111. Of theyr soundeste plankes … they framed a newe carauel.
1594. Shaks., Rich. III., V. iii. 65. Look that my Staues be sound, & not too heauy.
1653. W. Ramesey, Astrol. Restored, 147. The Trees are tall, sound, fruitfull, and good.
1687. A. Lovell, trans. Thevenot’s Trav., I. 113. All the Walls are so sound, that they seem as if they had been but lately built.
1725. De Foe, Voy. round World (1840), 94. Our men healthy, and our ships sound.
1791. ‘G. Gambado,’ Ann. Horsem., vi. (1809), 91. If the gate or stile happens to be in a sound state.
1826. Art Brewing (ed. 2), 92. You can use good sound barleys for that purpose, and reject blown, or otherwise injured, goods.
1857. Miller, Elem. Chem., Org., i. 13. By means of a sound elastic cork.
1887. Jefferies, Amaryllis, xiii. 100. They were all dressed better than her, and without a doubt had sound boots on their feet.
fig. 1588. Shaks., L. L. L., V. ii. 415. My loue to thee is sound, sans cracke or flaw.
1596. Spenser, State Irel., Wks. (Globe), 612/2. They reserved theyr titles, tenures, and signioryes whole and sound to themselves.
1607. Tourneur, Rev. Trag., II. iv. Before his eyes He would ha’ seen the execution sound Without corrupted favour.
1618. Fletcher, Women Pleased, I. iii. ’Tis but a Proverb sound, and a neck broken.
b. Of air, liquor or food: Not spoiled or vitiated in any way; hence, wholesome, good and strong. Also in fig. context.
c. 1460. Play Sacrament, 41. And sythe thay toke yt blysed brede so sownde And in a cawdron they ded hym boyle.
1584. Cogan, Haven Health (1636), 300. Neither is the ayre to bee judged sound as soon as the Plague ceaseth.
1594. Plat, Jewell-ho., I. 9. I haue also heard it verie crediblie reported, that a side of venison hath byn kept sound and sweet one whole month together.
1604. E. G[rimstone], D’Acosta’s Hist. Indies, II. xiv. 114. There is nothing more agreeable, then to inioy a heaven [= air] that is sound, sweet and pleasant.
1635. Swan, Spec. M. (1643), 381. The Trout is admirable: for this is so sound in nourishment, that [etc.].
1818. Scott, Hrt. Midl., xxviii. Mrs. Bickerton … drank some sound old ale, and a glass of stiff negus. Ibid. (1821), Kenilw., i. Having a cellar of sound liquor, a ready wit, and a pretty daughter.
1899. Allbutt’s Syst. Med., VIII. 748. Sound wine in moderation.
c. Financially solid or safe.
1601. R. Johnson, Kingd. & Commw. (1603), 17. Francis the 1. made greater warres with lesse reuenues, left his credite sound with the marchants, and readie money to his sonne.
1833. Ht. Martineau, Berkeley the Banker, I. i. 17. In my country, Scotland, the banks are particularly sound.
1879. Froude, Cæsar, ix. 91. He lent his money … with sound securities and at usurious interest.
1883. Daily Tel., 10 Nov., 5/4. The finances of the colony were in a sound condition.
d. In proper condition for the purpose.
1883. Cassell’s Fam. Mag., IX. 760/1. The beat may then … be reduced a little, still the oven must be ‘sound,’ and kept as near as possible at a uniform temperature.
4. a. Of things or substances: Solid, massive, compact. † Of a wood: Dense.
c. 1375. Sc. Leg. Saints, xvii. (Martha), 16. Sa thik & sownd was þe wod Be-twene Arle and Avynone.
1387. Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), IV. 453. Also þe Est ȝate…, þat was so hevy of sound bras þat twenty men were besy i-now for to tende it,… opened by hymself.
1551. Recorde, Cast. Knowl. (1556), 17. A sphere is a round and sound body.
1577. B. Googe, trans. Heresbach’s Husb., 20. Hereunto you may cast ashes,… dust and other thinges raked togeather, but in the middest you must lay some sounde matter.
1825. Scott, Talism., iv. A small Gothic chapel, hewn … out of the sound and solid rock.
1855. Orr’s Circ. Sci., Inorg. Nat., 212. The line … should have a naturally sound foundation of rock, well drained, and not liable to destruction from mere exposure.
b. Of land: Dry in subsoil; not boggy or marshy. Now dial.
1523. Fitzherb., Husb., § 18. Lette theym [sc. sheep] out of the folde, and dryue theym to the soundest place of the felde. Ibid., § 39. He that hath noo seuerall and sounde pasture, to put his lambes vnto.
1789. T. Wright, Meth. Watering Meadows (1790), 9. Its [sc. land] herbage, if coarse, is fined; its soil, if swampy, becomes sound.
1873. N. & Q., 4th Ser. XI. 57. It is a good sound heaf, with plenty of heather, and good herbage.
† 5. Safe, secure; free from danger. Obs.
1535. Stewart, Cron. Scot., II. 492. Suppois the se was neuir so soft and sound: In that passage this ilk Edmund wes dround.
6. Of sleep, etc.: Deep, heavy, profound; unbroken or undisturbed.
1548. Elyot, s.v. Arctus, Arctior somnus, sounde slepe.
1560. Daus, trans. Sleidane’s Comm., 232. He was caste into a marvelous depe and sounde slepe.
1597. Shaks., 2 Hen. IV., IV. v. 35. This sleepe is sound indeede.
1639. N. N., trans. Du Bosq’s Compl. Woman, II. 19. These slaves seeing their pretended Husbands layd in a sound sleepe, most subtilly stole away their Armes.
1673. Humours Town (1693), 2. I could scarce get one sound nap.
1709. Addison, Tatler, No. 97, ¶ 7. Their Slumbers are sound, and their Wakings chearful.
1804. Abernethy, Surg. Obs., 176. His sleep was sound and undisturbed.
1833. T. Hook, Parson’s Dau., II. xi. [He] went into a sound nap.
1893. Forbes-Mitchell, Remin. Gt. Mutiny, 126. I … had a sound refreshing sleep.
transf. 1616. Pasquil & Kath., V. 133. Once more a blessed chance Hath fetcht againe my spirit from the sownd And languishing despaire of happinesse.
b. Hence with sleeper. Also as a moth-name.
For sound = ‘sound asleep,’ see SOUND adv. 2 b.
1877. Reports Prov., 139 (E.D.D.). Pointing to brown moth, ’tis a sound-sleeper.
1898. Watts-Dunton, Aylwin, XV. i. (1899), 398. I was always a sound sleeper.
7. Of a solid, substantial, ample, or thorough nature or character.
1565. Cooper, Thesaurus, s.v. Solidus, With a name of more glorious shew, then sounde value.
1601. Holland, Pliny, I. 567. The soile … vnderneath … drinks in much moisture…; for many a sound showre … passeth and runneth through it.
1618. Bolton, Florus (1636), 132. Metellus … tooke a most sound revenge for the losse of Iuventius.
a. 1676. Hale, Prim. Orig. Man., I. i. (1677), 25. It gives every considering man a sound and full conviction that [etc.].
1784. Cowper, Tiroc., 437. School-friendships are not always found … permanent and sound.
1815. J. Smith, Panorama Sci. & Art, II. 593. A light, sandy loam, whose sound dryness is acknowledged.
1862. A. K. H. Boyd, Graver Thoughts Country Parson, xii. 209. The greedy farmer, who will tell many lies to get a sound price for a lame horse, yet who would not on any consideration be absent from a sacrament.
1897. Allbutt’s Syst. Med., III. 913. When … the attack passes off the patient makes a sound recovery.
b. Of blows, a beating, etc.: Dealt or given with force or severity.
1607. Brewer, Lingua, III. i. I looked for a sound rap on the pate.
1681. Dryden, Span. Friar, III. ii. Just as when a fellow has got a sound Knock upon the head, they say he’s settled.
1728. Ramsay, Monk & Miller’s Wife, 246. Be sure to lend him a sound rout.
1821. Scott, Kenilw., xxx. The porter … started up with his club, and dealt a sound douse or two on each side of him.
1852. Miss Yonge, Cameos, I. iv. 27. He will give you a sound beating.
1887. Hall Caine, Life Coleridge, i. 22. He proceeded to exterminate Voltaire by force of a flogging, which Coleridge feelingly described as sound if not salutary.
II. 8. In full accordance with fact, reason, or good sense; founded on true or well-established grounds; free from error, fallacy, or logical defect; good, strong, valid.
The several groups of quotations illustrate some of the principal varieties of context.
(a) a. 1440. Capgrave, Life St. Kath., V. 1183. Youre counseyll in this is neyther saue ne sounde.
1576. Gascoigne, Steele Gl. (Arb.), 52. And sound advice might ease hir wearie thoughtes.
1596. Edw. III., I. i. 101. The soundest counsell I can giue his grace, Is to surrender ere he be constraynd.
1697. Dryden, Æneid, XII. 42. Sound Advice, proceeding from a heart Sincerely yours.
(b) 15[?]. Syr Peny, 117, in Hazl., E. P. P., I. 266. He makyth the fals to be soende, And ryght puttys to the grounde.
1596. Shaks., Merch. V., IV. i. 238. You know the Law, your exposition Hath beene most sound. Ibid. (1600), A. Y. L., III. ii. 62. Shallow agen: a more sounder instance, come.
1622. Gataker, Spirituall Watch (ed. 2), 118. To passe by this, which I take to bee not all out so sound.
1653. W. Ramesey, Astrol. Restored, 36. I would fain see them pass any sound word or Argument against it.
1711. G. Hickes, Two Treat. Chr. Priesth. (1847), II. 363. This rigorously exercised supremacy, which our princes have since explained into a sounder sense.
1781. Burke, in Corr. (1844), II. 445. Mr. Laurens’ remarks are as sound as they are acute and ingenious.
1818. Cruise, Digest (ed. 2), III. 303. There seems to have been no sound reason for this distinction.
1841. Macaulay, Lett., in Trevelyan, Life (1876), II. ix. 118. Your objection to the lines is quite sound. Ibid. (1849), Hist. Eng., x. II. 609. Their old theory, sound or unsound, was at least complete and coherent.
(c) 1598. Meres, in Ingleby, Shaks. Cent. Praise, 24. The cleanest wit and soundest wisdome.
1706. E. Ward, Wooden World Diss. (1708), 14. Bubling he says is the Result of sound Reasoning.
1780. Harris, Philol. Enq., Wks. (1841), 450. Strictly conformable to the rules of sound and ancient criticism.
1802. Mar. Edgeworth, Moral T. (1816), I. viii. 48. Consistent with sound philosophy.
1855. J. Phillips, Man. Geol., 11. As a basis of true and sound geology.
1865. Tylor, Early Hist. Man., i. 2. The growth of sound knowledge.
1899. Allbutt’s Syst. Med., VIII. 840. The patient instead of adopting the counsel of sound surgery, betakes himself to the perilous resources of quackery.
(d) 1697. Dryden, Virgil, Life (1721), I. 72. He has solv’d more Phænomena of Nature upon sound Principles, than Aristotle in his Physics.
1836. Thirlwall, Hist. Greece, II. 225. It does indeed indicate … larger views, and sounder principles of policy.
1855. Orr’s Circ. Sci., Inorg. Nat., 127. Without sound general views there can be no safe practical use of any science.
1888. Bryce, Amer. Commw., xvii. I. 244. Without expressing any opinion as to whether the policy of Protection be or be not sound.
b. Theologically correct; orthodox.
1575. Gascoigne, Glasse Governm., Wks. 1910, II. 66. All this I confesse also to be good & sound doctrine.
1594. Hooker, Eccl. Pol., IV. ii. § 1. It is out of doubt that … in the prime of Christian religion faith was soundest.
1609. Bible (Douay), Exod. xxviii. comm., Bishopes and Priestes must have special vertues,… sound doctrin, and band of union.
a. 1700. Evelyn, Diary, 30 Jan. 1653. He ordinarily preach’d sound doctrine.
1784. Cowper, Tiroc., 198. [Being] taught … sound religion sparingly enough.
1837. Pusey, in Liddon, Life (1893), II. i. 16. We have too much to do to keep sound doctrine … to be able to go into the question about dresses.
1858. W. Arnot, Laws fr. Heaven, II. xi. 95. A sound creed will not save a careless liver in the great day.
1870. J. Bruce, Life Gideon, xii. 218. The indissoluble connection between a sound faith and a sincere conscience.
† c. Of a book or writing: Accurate, correct.
1599. Thynne, Animadv. (1875), 61. The printe must be corrected after those written copies (whiche I yet holde for sounde till I maye disprove them).
1611. Bible, Transl. Pref., ¶ 6. That Translation was not so sound and so perfect, but that it needed in many places correction.
a. 1700. Evelyn, Diary, 20 Feb. 1676. A famous … treatise against the corruption in the Cleargie, but not sound as to its quotations.
9. Of judgment, sense, etc.: Based on or characterized by well-grounded principles or good practical knowledge.
1577. B. Googe, Heresbach’s Husb. (1586), 7. Those that are of sounder iudgement, account the husbandmen most happy.
1613. Harcourt, Voy. Guiana, 37. As others also of sound iudgement, and great experience doe hold opinion.
1620. T. Granger, Div. Logike, 2. Instituted or framed according to sound reason.
1718. Free-thinker, No. 75. 137. It is a Maxim of the soundest Sense.
1790. Burke, Fr. Rev., 303. The learning which could make judicial discretion … deserving the appellation of a sound discretion.
1830. Scott, Monast., Introd. By a transcendent flight, beyond sound reason and common sense.
1847. W. C. L. Martin, The Ox, 166/2. A skilful practitioner, whose knowledge of anatomy will enable him to act with promptness and sound judgment.
1857. Livingstone, Trav., ii. 38. A most convincing proof of our sound sense.
10. Of persons, disposition, principles, etc.: a. Morally good; honest, straightforward.
1580. Lyly, Euphues (Arb.), 461. Knowing that there is nothing that smelleth sweeter to the Lorde, then a sounde spirite.
a. 1586. Sidney, Ps. XVIII. vii. I walk’d his waies,… Sound and upright with him, to wickednes not bent.
1687. Miége, Gt. Fr. Dict., II. s.v., To have sound (honest, or good) Principles.
1695. Congreve, Love for L., III. iv. Mrs. Fore. … You are such an universal Jugler,—that I’m afraid you have a great many Confederates. Scan. Faith, I’m sound.
b. Sincere, true; not doubtful or disaffected in any way; trusty, loyal.
1581. J. Bell, Haddon’s Answ. Osor., 194. I dare scarsely thinke you to be in any respect a sownde frende thereunto.
1613. Shaks., Hen. VIII., III. ii. 274. I … That in the way of Loyaltie, and Truth, Toward the King … Dare mate a sounder man then Surrie can be.
1617. Moryson, Itin., II. 299. Little to bee feared, if the English-Irish there had sound hearts to the State.
1781. Cowper, Friendship, 15. The requisites that form a friend, A real and a sound one.
1817. Evans’s Parl. Deb., I. 586. The great body of the labourers … in that part of the kingdom, he believed to be sound.
c. Having a healthy national or moral tone.
1822. Gen. Stewart (of Garth), Sk. Highlanders, etc. II. 257. The mass of the population may, on occasions of trial, be reckoned on as sound and trust-worthy.
a. 1862. Buckle, Civiliz. (1869), III. iii. 130. As long as the people are sound, there is life.
1879. M. Arnold, Mixed Ess., Democracy, 5. One … beneficial influence,… the administration of a vigorous and high-minded aristocracy is calculated to exert upon a robust and sound people.
1902. Daily Chron., 15 April, 3/6. The American, too, is a ‘sound’ man, jolly good company, and no end of fun.
11. Of persons: Holding accepted, approved, solid, or well-grounded opinions or views, esp. in regard to religious belief; orthodox.
pred. 1526. Tindale, Titus i. 13. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they maye be sounde [Gr. ὑγιαίνωσιν] in the fayth.
1613. Shaks., Hen. VIII., V. iii. 81. Gard. Doe not I know you for a Fauourer Of this new Sect? Ye are not sound. Crom. Not sound?
1704. Swift, T. Tub, Concl. A temptation of being witty, upon occasions where I could be neither wise, nor sound, nor anything to the matter in hand.
1855. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., xiv. III. 477. The King, too, it was said, was not sound.
1874. Contemp. Rev., Oct., 708. He came from Scotland sound as a bell on the five points of Calvinism.
absol. 1682. 2nd Plea for Nonconf., Ded. A iij b. Distinguish between Preacher and Preacher, between the sound and the unsound.
attrib. 1594. Hooker, Eccl. Pol., III. viii. 3. The will of God … no sound divine in the world ever denied to be [etc.].
1626. in Cath. Rec. Soc. Publ., I. 96. Testifying that he was a sound catholique, & had done them faithful service.
1685. Baxter, Paraphr. N. T., Mark iv. 20. All sound Christians are not equally fruitful.
1714. Pope, Wife Bath, 55. For so said Paul, and Paul’s a sound divine.
1764. Wesley, Lett. to T. Rankin, Wks. 1830, XII. 305. I hope John Cattermole (a sound man) will come and help you.
1820. Scott, Monast., Introd. Ep. It would ill become me, a sound Protestant, and a servant of government…, to implicate myself [etc.].
1882. R. G. Wilberforce, Life W. Wilberforce, III. vi. 169. ‘Well, but my Lord, after all, he is a very sound man!’ ‘He is indeed with a vengeance,’ said the Bishop, ‘if you mean vox et præterea nihil.’
b. Hence to be sound on (something). Orig. U.S. and chiefly colloq.
1856. Knickerbocker Mag., XLVIII. 287. A slight German accent did not prevent him from being sound, as he said, ‘on ter coose question.’
1859. Bartlett, Dict. Amer. (ed. 2), 430. Sound on the goose, a phrase originating in the Kansas troubles, and signifying true to the cause of slavery.
1872. De Vere, Americanisms, 267. Now, sound on the goose means simply to be stanch on the party question, whatever that may be for the moment.
1893. F. F. Moore, I Forbid Banns (1899), 119. That he was sound even on a seven hours’ question.
c. U.S. (See quot.)
1872. De Vere, Americanisms, 266. If he has been in political life before, his record is carefully searched to find out if he is sound, that is, if he has always voted strictly with his party.
12. Of sober or solid judgment; well-grounded in principles or knowledge; thoroughly versed and reliable.
1615. G. Sandys, Trav., 218. As sound in iudgement as ripe in experience.
1654. trans. Scudery’s Curia Pol., 61. It was very difficult to be a sick Patient, and a sound Polititian, to govern the people, being personally weak.
1852. Bristed, Five Yrs. Eng. Univ. (ed. 2), 274. Good sound scholars, but not remarkably showy or striking.
1872. Ruskin, Eagle’s N., i. 3. The least part of the work of any sound art-teacher must be his talking.
1891. E. Peacock, N. Brendon, I. 62. You are a sound judge of poetry.
13. Comb., as sound-headed, -hearted, -minded, etc. Also sound-heartedness and sound-sweet adj.
1808. Scott, Lett., in Lockhart (1837), II. vi. 205. He is judicious … and uncommonly *sound-headed.
1856. N. Brit. Rev., XXVI. 87. Henry and his Parliament, though still doctrinal Romanists, were sound-headed practical Englishmen.
1608. Dod & Cleaver, Expos. Prov., 84. Who thus testifie of themselues, and of all other *sound hearted Christians.
1841. Miall, in Nonconf., I. 241. A sound-hearted patriot.
a. 1853. Robertson, Lect., ii. (1858), 53. The *sound-heartedness and right feeling of the great majority.
1826. E. Irving, Babylon, I. II. 140. It became a fixed and settled principle with all *sound-minded men.
1856. N. Brit. Rev., XXVI. 63. This is enough … to screen this sound-minded Calvinist from all criticism or remark.
1863. Cowden Clarke, Shaks. Char., viii. 205. The most *sound-sensed man of the group.
1591. Sylvester, Ivry, 459, Wks. (Grosart), II. 251. Their Leach that fain would cure their harm Applying many *sound-sweet Med’cines fit.
1589. R. Harvey, Pl. Perc. (1590), 8. They … were the *soundest winded subiects.
1561. T. Norton, Calvin’s Inst., IV. 86. To poynt out … what maner of thyng the profession of monkes was…: so as the *soundwitted reders may iudge by the comparison.
