bourdonner

Bourdonner is a French verb meaning to produce a low, continuous buzzing or humming sound. It describes sounds from insects such as bees, from machines or engines, from electrical devices, or from voices and crowds when they murmur in the background. The term can also be used figuratively to indicate persistent activity or tension.

Etymology and sense: the verb derives from the noun bourdon, meaning drone or buzz, itself from Old French. The word evokes the steady, resonant character of a drone and is closely linked to the sound images of everyday life.

Musical and acoustic usage: in traditional and medieval music, a bourdon is a sustained drone note that underpins a melody. To bourdonner a part is to keep or produce such a drone, often with a second voice, a bagpipe drone, or an organ stop. The concept appears in Gregorian chant and folk music, where the drone provides a harmonic foundation.

Usage and examples: bourdonner is used intransitively to describe sounds produced by a source. Examples include: Le moteur bourdonne, Les abeilles bourdonnent, La ville bourdonne. Figurative expressions include bourdonner dans les oreilles to describe a lingering hum or tinnitus. For instance, Le générateur bourdonne toute la nuit.