/seuh bruy"i tee, soh-/ , n.
1. the state or quality of being sober.
2. temperance or moderation, esp. in the use of alcoholic beverages.
3. seriousness, gravity, or solemnity: an event marked by sobriety.
[ 1375-1425; late ME sobrietie ( sobriete ) sobrietas, equiv. to sobri ( us ) SOBER + -etas, var. of -ITAS -ITY after vowel stems ]