sound out
     v 1: speak, pronounce, or utter in a certain way; "She pronounces
          French words in a funny way"; "I cannot say `zip wire'";
          "Can the child sound out this complicated word?" [syn: {pronounce},
           {articulate}, {enounce}, {enunciate}, {say}]
     2: try to learn someone's opinions and intentions; "I have to
        sound out the new professor" [syn: {check out}, {feel out}]
Source: WordNet® 2.0