[syn: sobriety, temperance]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Sobriety \So*bri"e*ty\, n. [L. sobrietas: cf. F. sobri['e]t['e].
See Sober.]
1. Habitual soberness or temperance as to the use of
spirituous liquors; as, a man of sobriety.
[1913 Webster]
Public sobriety is a relative duty. --Blackstone.
[1913 Webster]
2. Habitual freedom from enthusiasm, inordinate passion, or
overheated imagination; calmness; coolness; gravity;
seriousness; as, the sobriety of riper years.
[1913 Webster]
Mirth makes them not mad,
Nor sobriety sad. --Denham.
[1913 Webster]
Syn: Soberness; temperance; abstinence; abstemiousness;
moderation; regularity; steadness; calmness; coolness;
sober-mindeness; sedateness; staidness; gravity;
seriousness; solemnity.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
sobriety
n 1: the state of being sober and not intoxicated by alcohol
[syn: soberness, sobriety] [ant: drunkenness,
inebriation, inebriety, insobriety, intoxication,
tipsiness]
2: moderation in or abstinence from alcohol or other drugs [syn:
sobriety, dryness]
3: a manner that is serious and solemn [syn: graveness,
gravity, sobriety, soberness, somberness,
sombreness]
4: abstaining from excess [syn: sobriety, temperance]