Dictionary

unsound en · ADJ

Pronunciation

• (Southern-England) audio
• /ˌʌnˈsaʊnd/
• ŭn-soundʹ

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *né Proto-Indo-European *n̥- Proto-Germanic *un- Proto-West Germanic *un- Old English un- Middle English un- English un- English sound English unsound From un- + sound.

Meanings

1. Not sound ▸ Not whole, not solid, defective.
   • In the ensuing financial panic, many persons sustained heavy losses, and large numbers of unsound schemes succumbed. 1946 September and October, “Speculation Run Riot”, in Railway Magazine, page 269:
   • A striking example comes to mind, in which a scheme to improve the existing buildings finished up as virtually a complete reconstruction, owing to the unsound condition of the original structure! 1962 October, Brian Haresnape, “Focus on B.R. passenger stations”, in Modern Railways, page 255:
   • unsound mind
   • While he is reasonably effusive about inter-city travel, he is heavily disparaging of all types of stopping service, including those on otherwise busy main lines. His analysis is not entirely unsound, and he tackles some of the questions head on. 2023 March 8, Gareth Dennis, “The Reshaping of things to come...”, in RAIL, number 978, page 47:
2. (especially, of equestrianism) Not sound ▸ Infirm, diseased.
   • ... A horse labouring under a temporary injury, capable of being speedily cured, is not unsound within the meaning of a warranty of soundness ... 1822, Sir John Comyns, Anthony Hammond, A Digest of the Laws of England:
3. (UK, especially, of people) Not sound ▸ Not good, unreliable.
   • You would not like Nietzsche, sir. He is fundamentally unsound. 1919, P.G. Wodehouse, My Man Jeeves:

Forms

Antonyms

sound

Deriveds

unsoundness · unsoundly