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.
<! p. 1365 !>
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.
So"ber*ize (?), v. t. & i. To sober. [R.] Crabbe.
So"ber*ly, adv. In a sober manner; temperately; cooly; calmly; gravely;
seriously.