Word Of The Day: OROTUND
Pronunciaton: oro·tund /ˈȯr-ə-ˌtənd/
Meaning
Orotund refers to a rich, full, and resonant sound, often associated with the voice, speech, or writing.
Origin and History
The word orotund comes from the Latin words "ore", meaning "mouth", and "rotundo", meaning "make round".
So orotund sounds are what you make with a rounded mouth, which is good if you're singing but pretentious if you're not.
The first recorded use of the word was in the late 1700s. It was favoured in classical oratory and elocution training, where speakers were taught to project their voices in a deep, rounded, and confident manner.
Examples from literature
- He pitched his orotund voice upon me as if he were giving a command in a gale at sea. - A Republic Without a President, and Other Stories by Herbert D
- Then he heard the wonderful orotund organ of Col. - Great Singers on the Art of Singing by James Francis Cooke
Synonyms
- Deep
- Sonorous
- Strong
- Powerful
- Full
- Loud