Sonorous

Sonorous is an adjective describing a sound that is deep, full, and rich, or capable of producing such a sound. It is commonly applied to voices, bells, instruments, and other auditory phenomena that carry well and have a resonant quality. The term can also be used more broadly to describe spaces, atmospheres, or prose that seem grand or imposing due to their rhythm and cadence.

Etymology and development: Sonorous comes from the Latin sonorus “full of sound,” derived from sonor- “sound.” It entered English in the early modern period via French, with the sense of producing or having a strong, resonant sound.

Usage and nuances: In everyday language, sonorous often conveys positive appreciation for depth and richness of tone, as in a sonorous voice or a sonorous bell. It can also be used metaphorically to describe writing, or oratory, that is forceful or majestic. In some contexts, excessive use of the term can imply pretension or pomp.

Related terms: Sonority denotes the quality or property of being sonorous and is used in fields such as music and phonetics. A sonorant is a term in phonetics for sounds produced with a relatively open airflow, including vowels, nasals, and approximants. In general discourse, resonant is a closely related synonym, though it emphasizes fullness and lasting impact rather than exact timbre.

Examples: Her sonorous voice filled the auditorium. The toll of the bells produced a sonorous echo that lingered in the square.

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