from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Sounding \Sound"ing\, n.
1. The act of one who, or that which, sounds (in any of the
senses of the several verbs).
[1913 Webster]
2. (Naut.) [From {Sound} to fathom.]
(a) measurement by sounding; also, the depth so
ascertained.
(b) Any place or part of the ocean, or other water, where
a sounding line will reach the bottom; -- usually in
the plural.
(c) The sand, shells, or the like, that are brought up by
the sounding lead when it has touched bottom.
[1913 Webster]
{Sounding lead}, the plummet at the end of a sounding line.
{Sounding line}, a line having a plummet at the end, used in
making soundings.
{Sounding post} (Mus.), a small post in a violin,
violoncello, or similar instrument, set under the bridge
as a support, for propagating the sounds to the body of
the instrument; -- called also {sound post}.
{Sounding rod} (Naut.), a rod used to ascertain the depth of
water in a ship's hold.
{In soundings}, within the eighty-fathom line. --Ham. Nav.
Encyc.
[1913 Webster]