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SOBERLY
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (adverb)
Sense 1
Meaning:
In a grave and sober manner
Example:
he walked soberly toward the altar
Synonyms:
Classified under:
Pertainym:
sober (dignified and somber in manner or character and committed to keeping promises)
Context examples:
Then suddenly he tore up his music sheets, one by one, and as the last fluttered out of his hand, he said soberly to himself...
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
"Could you spare me some of your cake? I really need some, I have so much company, and I can't make such delicious stuff as yours," asked Meg soberly.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
But Amy did not laugh, for she was in earnest, and tapping on the outspread hand with her pencil, said soberly, Aren't you ashamed of a hand like that?
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
I gave my order as soberly as I could, and slamming down the door, with an "Aye, aye, mum," the man made his horse walk, as if going to a funeral.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
The 'effalunt' sat up, looking as much in earnest as any of them, and said soberly to me, "I gif you my wort it is so, if we make too large a noise you shall say Hush! to us, and we go more softly."
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
When they had laughed at Beth's story, they asked their mother for one, and after a moments thought, she said soberly, "As I sat cutting out blue flannel jackets today at the rooms, I felt very anxious about Father, and thought how lonely and helpless we should be, if anything happened to him. It was not a wise thing to do, but I kept on worrying till an old man came in with an order for some clothes. He sat down near me, and I began to talk to him, for he looked poor and tired and anxious.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
It's evident he doesn't look in his glass before coming down, thought Jo, with a smile, as he said Goot efening, and sat soberly down, quite unconscious of the ludicrous contrast between his subject and his headgear, for he was going to read her the Death of Wallenstein.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
He had been graver than usual of late, but very pleasant, and when jokingly accused of turning over a new leaf, he answered soberly, "So I am, and I mean this one shall stay turned."
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
So he put her up at the table, opened the great dictionary she had brought, and gave her a paper and pencil, and she scribbled away, turning a leaf now and then, and passing her little fat finger down the page, as if finding a word, so soberly that I nearly betrayed myself by a laugh, while Mr. Bhaer stood stroking her pretty hair with a fatherly look that made me think she must be his own, though she looked more French than German.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
"What put it into your head? Did anyone tell you about Beth's giving away her things?" asked Laurie soberly, as Amy laid a bit of red tape, with sealing wax, a taper, and a standish before him.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
