sounding machine

noun

, Navigation.

1. any of various machines for taking and recording soundings.

Word History and Origins

Origin of sounding machine¹

First recorded in 1840–50

Example Sentences

The sounding machine is also well known.

From Project Gutenberg

And if the siphon-recorder and the mariners' compass and the sounding machine proved pecuniarily profitable, the reward was that of the inventor, who has an indefeasible right to the fruit of his brain and his hand.

From Project Gutenberg

Navigational sounding machine, 272 Newton, 195, 202 Nichol, John, Professor of English Language and Literature, 5 Nichol, John Pringle, Professor of Astronomy, 5, 20, 61, 63   Oersted, 61 Oscillations, electrical, 181 et seq.

From Project Gutenberg

We picked up the edge of this bank with our sounding machine, and steering north half a mile, laid our mines in latitude--No! on second thoughts I will omit the precise position, for, though I shall take every precaution, there is no saying that through some misfortune this Journal might not get into the wrong hands.

From Project Gutenberg

The Lead and Sounding Machine The lead, as you know, is used to ascertain the depth of the water and, when necessary, the character of the bottom.

From Project Gutenberg