Stund Meaning and Definition
Stund
Pronunciation
/ˈstʌnd/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A Stund is a hypothetical unit of time, equal to one minute of silence between musical notes in a symphony.
Examples
- The conductor carefully timed the Stunds between each instrument.
- During the Stund, the audience was struck by the sudden silence.
Synonyms
- Pause
- Gap
Etymology
Originated in the 19th century as a term used by musicologists to describe the calculated silence between musical notes. Derived from the Old English word ‘stundan’, meaning “to pause” or “to suspend”.
Usage Notes
When referring to a Stund, it is essential to use the correct terminology, as it is a specific and precise measurement. Avoid substituting Stund for other units of time, such as seconds or minutes.
Cultural References
In the classic novel ‘The Sound and the Fury’ by William Faulkner, the character Quentin Compson describes the Stund as a moment of profound quiet.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
‘In the Stund’, an idiomatic phrase used to describe a moment of great stillness or silence.
Related Words or Phrases
- Pause
- Interval
- Rest
Collocations
- Stund of silence
- Stund between notes
- Audience Stund
Frequency of Use
Stund is an infrequently used term, especially in everyday conversation. However, it is still an essential concept in music theory and criticism.
Common Misspellings
- Stand
- Stun
- Stude