Sonorous comes from Latin sonōrus ('resounding, sonorous'), from sonor ('sound, noise'), from sonāre ('to sound'), from sonus ('sound'). The form is best read as a historical transfer or inheritance, with its older language material carrying the main semantic load. As an adjective, it carries the sense "having a deep, full, resonant sound", with the older formation still helping explain the modern use. Relevant historical forms include Latin sonōrus and Latin sonus. Derivative forms include sonorously, sonorousness; related words include sonority, sonic, sound.