- Sober
- Sober 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.
[1913 Webster]
That we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life, to the glory of Thy holy name. --Bk. of Com. Prayer. [1913 Webster]
2. Not intoxicated or excited by spirituous liquors; as, the sot may at times be sober. [1913 Webster]
3. Not mad or insane; not wild, visionary, or heated with passion; exercising cool, dispassionate reason; self-controlled; self-possessed. [1913 Webster]
There was not a sober person to be had; all was tempestuous and blustering. --Druden. [1913 Webster]
No sober man would put himself into danger for the applause of escaping without breaking his neck. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
4. Not proceeding from, or attended with, passion; calm; as, sober judgment; a man in his sober senses. [1913 Webster]
5. Serious or subdued in demeanor, habit, appearance, or color; solemn; grave; sedate. [1913 Webster]
What parts gay France from sober Spain? --Prior. [1913 Webster]
See her sober over a sampler, or gay over a jointed baby. --Pope. [1913 Webster]
Twilight gray Had in her sober livery all things clad. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
Syn: Grave; temperate; abstinent; abstemious; moderate; regular; steady; calm; quiet; cool; collected; dispassionate; unimpassioned; sedate; staid; serious; solemn; somber. See {Grave}. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.