v. & n.
v. (sobbed, sobbing) 1 intr. draw breath in convulsive gasps usu. with weeping under mental distress or physical exhaustion. 2 tr. (usu. foll. by out) utter with sobs. 3 tr. bring (oneself) to a specified state by sobbing (sobbed themselves to sleep).
n. a convulsive drawing of breath, esp. in weeping. sob story a story or explanation appealing mainly to the emotions. sob-stuff colloq. sentimental talk or writing. sobber n. sobbingly adv.
[ ME sobbe (prob. imit.) ]