mass noun
1- the action or process of measuring the depth of the sea or other body of water水深测量。
1.1
- a measurement taken by sounding测得的水深。
1.2
- the determination of any physical property at a depth in the sea or at a height in the atmosphere探空; 水体探测。
1.3
soundings
figurative information or evidence ascertained as a preliminary step before deciding on a course of action〈喻〉调查, 调查结果：he's been taking soundings about the possibility of moving his offices.
他一直都在研究自己公司搬迁的可能性。
1.4
soundings
archaic the area of sea close to the shore which is shallow enough for the bottom to be reached by means of a sounding line〈古〉测深绳能够达到水底的近海岸浅水域。
attrib.
1- archaic giving forth sound, especially loud or resonant sound〈古〉发出声响的（尤指响亮或有回声的声音）：
he went in with a sounding plunge.
他咚的一声就跳了下去。
1.1
- having an imposing sound but little substance虚夸空洞的, 听上去冠冕堂皇的：
the orator has been apt to deal in sounding commonplaces.
这位演说家一向擅长于把普通的事情说得冠冕堂皇。