All 5 Uses of
sober
in
The Scarlet Letter
- Were it not, thinkest thou, for thy little one's temporal and eternal welfare that she be taken out of thy charge, and clad soberly, and disciplined strictly, and instructed in the truths of heaven and earth?
p. 75.9 *soberly = plainly and respectably (without decoration)
- A large number—and many of these were persons of such sober sense and practical observation that their opinions would have been valuable in other matters—affirmed that Roger Chillingworth's aspect had undergone a remarkable change while he had dwelt in town, and especially since his abode with Mr. Dimmesdale.†
p. 86.2
- His fame, though still on its upward slope, already overshadowed the soberer reputations of his fellow-clergymen, eminent as several of them were.†
p. 95.5 *
- These primitive statesmen, therefore—Bradstreet, Endicott, Dudley, Bellingham, and their compeers—who were elevated to power by the early choice of the people, seem to have been not often brilliant, but distinguished by a ponderous sobriety, rather than activity of intellect.†
p. 159.4
- And once Hester was seen embroidering a baby-garment with such a lavish richness of golden fancy as would have raised a public tumult had any infant thus apparelled, been shown to our sober-hued community.†
p. 173.9
Definitions:
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(1)
(sober as in: Talk to me when your sober.) not under the influence of alcohol
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(2)
(sober up as in: I need to sober up.) to become less drunk or intoxicated
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(3)
(sobering as in: a sobering thought) serious or calm (not silly or excited); or making one serious or less excited
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(4)
(meaning too rare to warrant focus) More rarely, sober can refer to one who is rational rather than under the influence of extreme emotion. Also more rarely, it can reference that which is practical rather than fanciful -- such as "a more sober plan."