\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.
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.