The scope of the imitative principle is by no means restricted to the sounds which occur in nature, although these are the most obvious subjects of significative reproduction. What it is, may be seen in part from the range of onomatopoetic words in known languages. There is a figurative use of imitation, whereby rapid, slow, abrupt, repetitive motions are capable of being signified by combinations of sounds which make something such an impression on the mind through the ear as the motions in question do through the eye.
- Whitney (1875), a pag.295-296