SOUNDINGS. To be in soundings implies being so near the land that a deep-sea lead will reach the bottom, which is seldom practicable in the ocean. As soundings may, however, be obtained at enormous depths, and at great distances from the land, the term is limited in common parlance to parts not far from the shore, and where the depth is about 80 or 100 fathoms. Also, a name given to the specimen of the ground brought up adhering to the tallow stuck upon the base of the deep-sea lead, and distinguishing the nature of the bottom, as sand, shells, ooze, &c.
SOUNDLESS. Places assumed formerly to be bottomless, but thousands of fathoms are now measured. Our elders little thought of a submarine telegraph across the Atlantic Ocean!
SOURCE. The spring or origin of a stream or river, or at least one of the tributaries of supply.
SOURS. An old word for a rise, or rapid ascent.
SOUSE. A method of pickling fish by immersing them in vinegar after being boiled. (See [Marl].)
SOUSED GURNET. Best expressed by Falstaff's—"If I be not ashamed of my soldiers, I am a soused gurnet."
SOUTHERN CROSS. The popular name of a group of stars near the South Pole, which are somewhat in the figure of a cross.
SOUTHERN-LIGHTS. See [Aurora Australis].
SOUTHING. In navigation, implies the distance made good towards the south: the opposite of northing.
SOUTHING OF THE MOON. The time at which the moon passes the meridian of any particular place. Popularly the term is used to denote the meridian transit of any heavenly body south of the observer.