SOUNDING

To produce a sound.

"When the horn sounds, take cover."

To convey an impression by one's sound.

"He sounded good when we last spoke."

To be conveyed in sound; to be spread or published; to convey intelligence by sound.

Dive downwards, used of a whale.

"The whale sounded and eight hundred feet of heavy line streaked out of the line tub before he ended his dive."

To ascertain, or try to ascertain, the thoughts, motives, and purposes of (a person); to examine; to try; to test; to probe.

"When I sounded him, he appeared to favor the proposed deal."

Test; ascertain the depth of water with a sounding line or other device.

"Mariners on sailing ships would sound the depth of the water with a weighted rope."

The action of the verb to sound.

Emitting a sound.

"The sounding bell woke me up."