sough

Verb (1)

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.
   • The great train snaked on through the dark, pounding out the miles through the empty plains and mingy hamlets of Georgia, the 'Peach State', the angry moan of its four-toned wind-horn soughing over the wide savannah and the long shaft of its single searchlight ripping the black calico of the night.1954, Ian Fleming, “Allumeuse”, in Live and Let Die, London: Pan Books, published 1957, page 115
   • 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.1963, Sterling North, Rascal, Avon Books, page 101

Noun (1)

sough (plural soughs)

1. A murmuring sound; rushing, rustling, or whistling sound.
   • [...] 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?1829, John Carne, Stratton Hill: A Tale of the Civil Wars, volume 1, page 131
   • The whispering leaves or solemn sough of the forest.1838, William Howitt, The Rural Life of England
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.

Noun (2)

IPA/sʌf/

sough (plural soughs)

1. A small drain; an adit.

Verb (2)

IPA/sʌf/

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

1. To drain.

Proper noun capitalized: Sough

Sough

1. A hamlet in Kelbrook and Sough parish, Pendle borough, Lancashire, England (OS grid ref SD9045).