Sabin
/ˈseɪ.bɪn/noun
A unit of sound absorption equal to one square foot of completely absorptive surface, named after physicist Wallace Clement Sabine.
Did you know?“Sabin” also appears in the name of Albert Sabin, developer of the oral polio vaccine, although the acoustic unit honors Wallace Clement Sabine.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Roman period
Latin
Sabīnus
“Of or relating to the Sabines, an ancient Italic people of central Italy”
Late Antiquity
Latin
Sabīnus
“A personal name or ethnic designation meaning Sabine”
Medieval period
Latin/Old French
Sabin
“A personal name and surname derived from Sabinus”
1920s
English
sabin
“A unit of acoustic absorption introduced in honor of Wallace Clement Sabine”
Modern English
English
Sabin
“A sound-absorption unit; also used in proper names associated with Albert Sabin and his polio vaccine”