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.
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            that we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and
            sober life, to the glory of thy holy name. --bk. of
                                                  com. prayer.
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   2. not intoxicated or excited by spirituous liquors; as, the
      sot may at times be sober.
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   3. not mad or insane; not wild, visionary, or heated with
      passion; exercising cool, dispassionate reason;
      self-controlled; self-possessed.
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            there was not a sober person to be had; all was
            tempestuous and blustering. --druden.
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            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.
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   5. serious or subdued in demeanor, habit, appearance, or
      color; solemn; grave; sedate.
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            what parts gay france from sober spain? --prior.
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            see her sober over a sampler, or gay over a jointed
            baby.                                 --pope.
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            twilight gray
            had in her sober livery all things clad. --milton.
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   syn: grave; temperate; abstinent; abstemious; moderate;
        regular; steady; calm; quiet; cool; collected;
        dispassionate; unimpassioned; sedate; staid; serious;
        solemn; somber. see grave.
        1913 webster
see also:
soberer soberest ebriety grave