Now dial. Forms: α. 4 sounye (9 soony), 4–6 soune, 6 soun, 9 soon; 5 sownyn, 5–6 sowne, 6–7 sown. β. 6 sownde, 6–7 sounde, 6– sound (6 sund, 8 dial. soond). [var. of swoune SWOON v. Cf. SOUND sb.4] intr. To swoon, to faint.
α. 1393. Langl., P. Pl., C. XXI. 58. ‘Consummatum est,’ quaþ Crist and comsede for to sounye. Ibid., XXIII. 105. Many a louely lady … Sounede and swelte for sorwe of deþes dyntes.
1430–40. Lydg., Bochas, I. ix. (1554), 19 b. Full oft in the day Jocasta gan to sowne.
1470–85. Malory, Arthur, VI. xvi. 209. Thenne she souned as though she wold dye.
1545. Raynald, Byrth Mankynde, 73. If in this meane whyle the woman faynte or sowne by reason of greate payne.
1591. Greene, Conny Catching, II. Wks. (Grosart), X. 116. The gentleman euen now … sownd here.
1642. H. More, Song of Soul, III. iii. 49. This accursed earth; Whose dull suffusions make her often sown, Orecome with cold.
1681. W. Robertson, Phraseol. Gen. (1693), 1152. To sown or swoon, or to fall in a swoon.
1888–. in dialect glossaries, etc.
β. 1480. Robt. Devyll, 232, in Hazl., E. P. P., I. 228. Many olde folkes he caused to sounde.
1530. Palsgr., 726/1. Let me nat be by whan you let hym blodde, for I shall sownde than.
1579. Lyly, Euphues (Arb.), 72. Euphues was surprised with such increadible ioye … that he had almost sounded.
1624. Ld. Kpr. Williams, in Fortescue Papers (Camden), 204. I am still ready to sound at the very thought of any meate.
1678. Mrs. Behn, Sir Patient Fancy, II. ii. 28. Oh I shall sound with the apprehension on’t.
1706. Estcourt, Fair Example, I. i. Cards and Dice are her perpetual Diversion, tho’ she knows I sound at the very sight of ’em.
1755. Mem. Capt. P. Drake, I. xv. 150. At this my poor Brother, who was close to the Bar, sounded away, and fell down motionless.
1797. Mrs. A. M. Bennett, Beggar Girl (1813), V. 252. I thoft as she would have a sounded at that.
1828–. in dialect glossaries (Yorks., Northampt.).
