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Origin and history of ultrasound

ultrasound(adj.)

"sound waves or vibrations of a frequency beyond what human ears can hear," 1911, from ultra- "beyond" + sound (n.1). Compare ultrasonic. In reference to ultrasonic techniques of detection or diagnosis it is recorded from 1958.

also from 1911

Entries linking to ultrasound

sound(n.1)

"noise, what is heard, sensation produced through the ear," late 13c., soun, from Old French son "sound, musical note, voice," from Latin sonus "sound, a noise," from PIE *swon-o-, from root *swen- "to sound."

The unetymological -d was established c. 1350-1550 (see D).

Sound-board, "thin, resonant plate of wood in a musical instrument," is from 15c. Sound-wave "wave in an elastic medium by which sound spreads" is by 1848. Sound barrier, in reference to supersonic flights, is from 1939. Sound check is by 1977; sound effect is by 1909, originally live accompaniment to silent films.

The experts of Victor ... will ... arrange for the synchronized orchestration and sound effects for this picture, in which airplane battles will have an important part. [Exhibitor's Herald & Moving Picture World, April 28, 1928]
ultrasonic(adj.)

"having frequency beyond the audible range," 1923, from ultra- "beyond" + sonic. For sense, see supersonic.

ultra-

word-forming element of Latin origin meaning "beyond" (ultraviolet, ultrasound), or "extremely, exceedingly" (ultramodern, ultra-religious), from Latin ultra (adv. and prep.) "beyond, on the other side, on the farther side, past, over, across" (from suffixed form of PIE root *al- "beyond").

In use from about 1815 (Byron, Southey, Bentham), from French politics (ultra-royaliste "extreme royalist," etc.); "in very common and steadily increasing use from about 1830" [OED, 1989].

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