SOBER

I. adjective (~er; ~est) Etymology: Middle English sobre, from Anglo-French, from Latin sobrius; akin to Latin ebrius drunk Date: 14th century 1. sparing in the use of food and drink ; abstemious , not addicted to intoxicating drink, not drunk, marked by sedate or gravely or earnestly thoughtful character or demeanor, unhurried , calm , marked by temperance, moderation, or seriousness , subdued in tone or color, showing no excessive or extreme qualities of fancy, emotion, or prejudice, see: serious ~ly adverb ~ness noun II. verb (~ed; ~ing) Date: 14th century transitive verb to make ~, intransitive verb to become ~