Stentorian

Pronunciation

• IPA: /stÉ›nˈtɔː.ri.É™n/

Origin

From Stentor, from Ancient Greek Στέντωρ + -ian. Stentor was the herald of the Greek forces in the Iliad, noted for his loud voice.

Full definition of stentorian

Adjective

1. (of a voice) Loud, powerful, booming, suitable for giving speeches to large crowds.
• 1918, Edgar Rice Burroughs, The Land That Time Forgot (novel) Chapter VIIIThere seemed no one to dispute his claims when he said, or rather shouted, in stentorian tones: "I am Tsa. This is my she. Who wishes her more than Tsa?"
• 1922: James Joyce, Ulysses,The Irish Caruso-Garibaldi was in superlative form and his stentorian notes were heard to the greatest advantage in the time-honoured anthem sung as only our citizen can sing it.
• 1938: William Faulkner, The Unvanquished,Giving us a last embracing and comprehensive glance he drew it, already pivoting Jupiter on the tight snaffle; his hair tossed beneath the cocked hat, the sabre flashed and glinted; he cried, not loud yet stentorian: "Trot! Canter! Charge!"