Sondage
/sɒnˈdɑːʒ/noun
A survey or poll, especially one measuring public opinion; it can also mean the sounding or probing of depth.
Did you know?The word’s history connects modern polling with the older practice of using a weighted line or probe to investigate unseen depths, though its deeper Latin ancestry is uncertain.
Etymological Timeline
Medieval Latin
Latin
subundare
“A proposed source meaning “to sound” or investigate water depth; this connection is considered uncertain.”
12th Century
Old French
sonde
“A sounding line, plummet, or instrument used to measure depth.”
12th–13th Century
Old French
sonder
“To sound, probe, or investigate by testing depth.”
16th Century
French
sondage
“The act of sounding or probing, especially to determine depth or geological conditions.”
19th Century
English
sondage
“A technical term for sounding or probing, later also used for a survey or opinion poll.”
Modern English
English
sondage
“A survey or poll, particularly one measuring public opinion.”