English

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /saʊ/, /sʌf/

Verb

sough ‎(third-person singular simple present soughs, present participle soughing, simple past and past participle soughed)

1. To make a soft rustling or murmuring sound.
   • 1963, Sterling North, Rascal, Avon Books (softcover), p 101:

     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.

Translations

Noun

sough ‎(plural soughs)

1. A murmuring sound; rushing, rustling, or whistling sound.
   • W. Howitt

     The whispering leaves or solemn sough of the forest.

   • 1829, John Carne, Stratton Hill: A Tale of the Civil Wars - Volume 1 - Page 131:

     [...] Arthur; a fearful night it was: there was a sough in the air, a sound drawing nigh like that of a host marching:- — but you're looking pale and forwrought, man; is any thing ailing ye?

2. A gentle breeze; a waft; a breath.
3. A (deep) sigh.
4. (Scotland, obsolete) A vague rumour.
5. (Scotland, obsolete) A cant or whining mode of speaking, especially in preaching or praying.

Derived terms

• death-sough

Translations

See also

• susurrus

Etymology 2

From Middle English (whence also Scots sheuch ‎(“ditch”)); compare dialectal Dutch zoeg ‎(“ditch”).

Noun

sough ‎(plural soughs)

1. A small drain; an adit.

   (Can we find and add a quotation of W. M. Buchanan to this entry?)