Middle English Dictionary Entry
sō̆brī̆etẹ̄ n.
Entry Info
| Forms | sō̆brī̆etẹ̄ n. |
| Etymology | OF |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Moderation in desires or actions, temperance in food or drink; sobriety as one of the cardinal virtues; also fig.; also person.; liven in ~.
Associated quotations
- 1448 *Glo.Chron.C (Arms 58:Kooper)f.139v : Be comaundement of the seide Edgar, for the more pees and sobriete, that me shulde smyte nayles of siluer in coppes that men dronke of.
- c1450 Pilgr.LM (Cmb Ff.5.30)197 : Abstinence thou shalt clepe hire..Hire gorgiere is Sobrietee; thou ouhtest wite it if thou ne haue foryete it: I seide it thee er this.
- ?c1450 Knt.Tour-L.(Hrl 1764)163/12 : This is saide be a woman..that worshipfully and perfitly kepe thaire wedwhode, that lyuen in chastite and in sobriete.
- a1475 PPl.A(1) (Hrl 3954)11.122 : Sobryete [Trin-C: Leue hym on þi left half a large myle or more, Til þou come to a court, kepe wel þi tunge For [read: Fro] lesinges & liȝeris speche & likerous drinkes; Þanne shalt þou se sobirte & simplite of speche].