I can't believe we are arguing about the definition of the word sound.

Language is an evolving structure. How people use or misuse it changes as the societal context of certain words and phrases mutate over time. New words and definitions are added to dictionaries yearly.

Mary's dictionary listing is as accurate a definition of sound as I have heard. (Pun intended.) There is nothing sloppy about it.

If a tree falls in the forest next to a deaf man and a hearing woman, does it only make sound to the woman who can hear it?

This is ridiculous.

Why are you always so contentious? Nit picking the definition of sound.

If you want to ponder a real question, try this one:

What is it that schizophrenics hear in their heads when they "hear" voices?

Cathryn (My apologies, Canie, for being just a wee bit snippy about the semantic parsing going on here.)