sobriety

[Fr. sobriété, from Lat. sobrieta tem, acc us. of sobrietas, from sobrius =sober; Sp. sobriedad; Ital. sobrietà. Sir T. Elyot, writing in A. D. 1534, says that the word was not then in gen eral use. ( Trench: Study of Words, p. 128.)] 1. Habitual soberne or temperance in the use of intoxicating liquors; abstinence, abstemious ne . "Drunkenne is more uncharitable to the soul, and in scripture is more declaimed against than gluttony; and sobriety hath obtained to signify temperance in drink. ing."-Taylor. 2. Freedom from the influence of strong drink. 3. Moderation of the appetites or pa ions. "Sobriety is sometimes opposed in scripture to pride, and other disorders of the mind. And sometimes it is opposed to sensuality." -Gilpin : Hints for Sermons, § 20. 4. Freedom from enthusiasm, exce ive or in or ne , coolne , sedatene . "Petruchio Shall offer me, disguis'd in sober robes, To old Baptist a as a schoolmaster." Shakesp.: Taming of the Shrew, i. 2. *7. Modest, demure, chaste. "A queen, fair, sober , wise." Shakesp.: Hamlet , iii. 4. *sober-blooded, a. Free from pa ion or excitement; cool, calm, cool-blooded. "This same young sober- blooded boy, a man cannot make him laugh."- Shakesp.: Henry IV., Pt. II., iv. 3.