Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

SOUND, adj., adv., n.², v.² Also soun, soon(d), sune, ¶soum. Sc. forms and usages of Eng. sound, in good condition, solid. [sun(d)]

I. adj. 1. Smooth, even, level (Sc. 1825 Jam.; Cai. 1904 E.D.D., Cai. 1971).Sc. a.1800 Lord Randal in Child Ballads No. 12. A. i.:
I ha been at the greenwood; mother, mak my bed soon [v.l. sune], For I'm wearied wi hunting, and fain wad lie down.Ayr. 1887 J. Service Dr. Duguid 226:
Pook the tablecloot owre a wee to your side . . . noo it's as soon's a beuk leaf.Cai.⁹ 1946:
A soon bit o' rod (road), a surface that makes easy going — smooth and level.

2. In comb. roun(d) soun(d), whole, complete (Kcb. 1971). See Round, adj., 1. (9).Kcb. 1890 A. Armstrong Musings 141:
He lay an' grat a roun' soun' hour.

II. adv. Smoothly, steadily.Sc. 1825 Fair Janet in Child Ballads No. 64.B. xiv.:
Willie, lay the saddle saft, And lead the bridle soun.

‡III. n. A smooth, flat surface on which certain games such as chuck-stones can be played (Lnk. 1962, obsol.).

¶IV. v. tr. 1. To make smooth.Inv. 1718 Steuart Letter-Bk. (S.H.S.) 67:
Send me a whole sett of coupers tools except a great plain which is used for souming [sic] the staves.

2. To become smooth; of ground: to subside, consolidate, dry out after rain. Cf. Eng. dial. sound, dry in the subsoil. e.Lth. 1699 Countrey-Man's Rudiments 27:
If the Land be hard being wate plowed and having gotten no Frost to soften it, in that case you must either wait upon a shower or sow it in the sounding, as they call it, that is to say, before it be fully dry.