Part 533

The tremulous sob of the complaining owl.

Wordsworth.

Sob"bing (?), n. A series of short, convulsive inspirations, the glottis being suddenly closed so that little or no air enters into the lungs.

Sober (?), a. [Compar. Soberer (?); superl. Soberest.] [OE. sobre, F. sobre, from L. sobrius, probably from a prefix so- expressing separation + ebrius drunken. Cf. Ebriety.] 1. Temperate in the use of spirituous liquors; habitually temperate; as, a sober man.

That we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life, to the glory of Thy holy name.

Bk. of Com. Prayer.

2. Not intoxicated or excited by spirituous liquors; as, the sot may at times be sober.

3. Not mad or insane; not wild, visionary, or heated with passion; exercising cool, dispassionate reason; self- controlled; self-possessed.

There was not a sober person to be had; all was tempestuous and blustering.

Druden.

No sober man would put himself into danger for the applause of escaping without breaking his neck.

Dryden.

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4. Not proceeding from, or attended with, passion; calm; as, sober judgment; a man in his sober senses.

5. Serious or subdued in demeanor, habit, appearance, or color; solemn; grave; sedate.

What parts gay France from sober Spain?

Prior.

See her sober over a sampler, or gay over a jointed baby.

Pope.

Twilight gray Had in her sober livery all things clad.

Milton.

Syn. -- Grave; temperate; abstinent; abstemious; moderate; regular; steady; calm; quiet; cool; collected; dispassionate; unimpassioned; sedate; staid; serious; solemn; somber. See Grave.

So"ber (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sobered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Sobering.] To make sober.

There shallow draughts intoxicate the brain, And drinking largely sobers us again.

Pope.

So"ber, v. i. To become sober; -- often with down.

Vance gradually sobered down.

Ld. Lytton.