Middle English Dictionary Entry
sōbren v.
Entry Info
| Forms | sōbren v. Also sobre, sober(en, sobir, -ur; p. sobort; ppl. soberd. |
| Etymology | From sōbre adj.; cp. OF sobriier & L sōbriāre. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. assobren v.
1.
(a) To comfort (sb., one's spirit, etc.), console; alleviate (sorrow); (b) to pacify (sb.), calm, placate; compose (one's spirit); appease (anger); (c) glossing L sobriare.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)8.1700 : With that he sobreth his corage And put awey his hevy chiere.
- a1450 Yk.Pl.(Add 35290)245/116 : Thy sorowes for to sobir, To þe he hase me sente.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)3379 : Ses now of sorowe, sobur þi chere, Wond of þi weping, whipe vp þi teris.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)3393 : Þen ho sesit of sykyng, sobirt hir chere, At the prayer of Parys and his prise wordys.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)3570 : He comford þat kyng with his clene speche, To sober hym somwhat & sese of his chere.
b
- a1450 Gener.(1) (Mrg M 876)7626 : Sobre youre hert, ma dame, I you besech.
- c1450 Alph.Tales (Add 25719)193/13 : Þan hur Son was soberd.
- c1475(a1449) Lydg.Prayer Leonard (LdMisc 683)25 : Sobre & appese suych folk as falle in furie.
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)116b : To Sobyr: Mitigare, placare, complacare.
- a1500 Tundale (Adv 19.3.1)77 : He sobort his hart that was so greyt And made Tundale dwell at tho meytt.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)5092 : Set you full sone, sober your wille, And non proffer, apon payne, to prese hym no more.
c
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)462 : Soberyn, or make sobyr: Sobrio.
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)116b : To Sobyr..sobriare.