sound

Where does the word "sound" come from? It comes from Latin sonus, passing through Old French and Middle English before entering English (1400s).

Sound’s story begins in Latin: sonus meant “sound.” A noise, the root of 'sonic' and 'sonata'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as son. Sound. From there it passed into Middle English as soun by 1200s. Borrowed after the Norman Conquest. It reached English by 1400s as sound. A 'd' crept onto the end in the 1400s. Today, sound means vibrations that can be heard.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient sonus "sound", a noise, the root of 'sonic' and 'sonata'.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval son "sound", sound.
3. Stage 3 · Middle English · 1200s soun "sound", borrowed after the Norman Conquest.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1400s sound "sound", a 'd' crept onto the end in the 1400s.