son

n. 1. A sound; a tune; as, to sound the tucket sonance. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The quality or state of being sonant. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. sonans, -antis, p. pr. of sonare to sound. See Sound a noise. ] 1. Of or pertaining to sound; sounding. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Phonetics) Uttered, as an element of speech, with tone or proper vocal sound, as distinguished from mere breath sound; intonated; voiced; vocal; tonic; the opposite of nonvocal, or surd; -- said of the vowels, semivowels, liquids, and nasals, and particularly of the consonants b, d, g hard, v, etc., as compared with their cognates p, t, k, f, etc., which are called nonvocal, surd, or aspirate. -- n. A sonant letter. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ It., fr. It. & L. sonare to sound. See Sound a noise. ] (Mus.) An extended composition for one or two instruments, consisting usually of three or four movements; as, Beethoven's sonatas for the piano, for the violin and piano, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The same general structure prevails in symphonies, instrumental trios, quartets, etc., and even in classical concertos. The sonata form, distinctively, characterizes the quick opening movement, which may have a short, slow introduction; the second, or slow, movement is either in the song or variation form; third comes the playful minuet or the more modern scherzo; then the quick finale in the rondo form. But both form and order are sometimes exceptional. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ It. ] (Mus.) A short and simple sonata. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ }, n. [ AS. sand. See Send, v. t. ] 1. That which is sent; a message or messenger; hence, also, a visitation of providence; an affliction or trial. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Ye have enough, parde, of Goddes sond. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Rocketry) a rocket or balloon sent into the upper atmosphere to measure atmospheric conditions or other phenomena at altitudes unattainable by aircraft. [ PJC ]

‖n. (Zool.) The musk shrew. See under Musk. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ G. sonderklasse special class. ] (Yachting) A special class of small yachts developed in Germany under the patronage of son>Emperor Williamson> and son>Prince Henryson> of Prussia, and so called because these yachts do not conform to the restrictions for the regular classes established by the rules of the International Yacht Racing Union. In yachts of the sonderclass, as prescribed for the season of 1911, the aggregate of the length on water line, extreme beam, and extreme draft must be not more than 32 feet; the weight, not less than 4, 035 pounds (without crew); the sail area, not more than 550 square yards; and the cost of construction (for American boats) not more than $2400. The crew must be amateurs and citizens of the country in which the yacht was built. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. [ AS. song, sang, fr. singan to sing; akin to D. zang, G. sang, Icel. söngr, Goth. saggws. See Sing. ] 1. That which is sung or uttered with musical modulations of the voice, whether of a human being or of a bird, insect, etc. “That most ethereal of all sounds, the song of crickets.” Hawthorne. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A lyrical poem adapted to vocal music; a ballad. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. More generally, any poetical strain; a poem. [ 1913 Webster ]

The bard that first adorned our native tongue
Tuned to his British lyre this ancient song. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Poetical composition; poetry; verse. [ 1913 Webster ]

This subject for heroic song. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. An object of derision; a laughingstock. [ 1913 Webster ]

And now am I their song, yea, I am their byword. Job xxx. 9. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. A trifle; an insignificant sum of money; as, he bought it for a song. “The soldier's pay is a song.” Silliman. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

Old song, a trifle; nothing of value. “I do not intend to be thus put off with an old song.” Dr. H. More. --
Song bird (Zool.), any singing bird; one of the Oscines. --
Song sparrow (Zool.), a very common North American sparrow (Melospiza fasciata, or Melospiza melodia) noted for the sweetness of its song in early spring. Its breast is covered with dusky brown streaks which form a blotch in the center. --
Song thrush (Zool.), a common European thrush (Turdus musicus), noted for its melodius song; -- called also mavis, throstle, and thrasher. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Sonnet; ballad; canticle; carol; canzonet; ditty; hymn; descant; lay; strain; poesy; verse. [ 1913 Webster ]