Sober a. [Compar. Soberer superl. Soberest.]
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.
No sober man would put himself into danger for the applause of escaping without breaking his neck. --Dryden.
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.