2. Fig.: To ascertain, or try to ascertain, the thoughts,
motives, and purposes of (a person); to examine; to try;
to test; to probe.
I was in jest, And by that offer meant to sound your
breast. --Dryden.
I've sounded my Numidians man by man. --Addison.
3. (Med.) To explore, as the bladder or urethra, with a
sound; to examine with a sound; also, to examine by
auscultation or percussion; as, to sound a patient.
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.
{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.