sough
/saʊ/
sough
English
Verb
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Definition
To make a soft rustling or murmuring sound.
Etymology
From Middle English *sough, swough, swogh, from Middle English swoȝen, swowen, from Old English swōgan (“to make a sound; move with noise; rush; roar”), from Proto-West Germanic *swōgan, from Proto-Germanic *swōganą from Proto-Indo-European *sweh₂gʰ-, same source as English echo (via Ancient Greek). Cognate with Scots souch (“sough”), Icelandic súgur (“a rushing sound, rustle”). Noun replaced Middle English swei, sweȝ from Old English swēg. More at swoon.
Example Sentences
- "I lay awake for a while that evening, listening to the soughing of the wind high in the pines, realizing sadly that we must now return to civilization."
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