From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Sobbing \Sob"bing\, n.
A series of short, convulsive inspirations, the glottis being
suddenly closed so that little or no air enters into the
lungs.
[1913 Webster]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Sob \Sob\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Sobbed} (s[o^]bd); p. pr. & vb.
n. {Sobbing}.] [OE. sobben; akin to AS. se['o]fian,
si['o]fian, to complain, bewail, se['o]fung, si['o]fung,
sobbing, lamentation; cf. OHG. s[=u]ft[=o]n, s[=u]ftj[=o]n,
to sigh, MHG. siuften, siufzen, G. seufzen, MHG. s[=u]ft a
sigh, properly, a drawing in of breath, from s[=u]fen to
drink, OHG. s[=u]fan. Cf. {Sup}.]
To sigh with a sudden heaving of the breast, or with a kind
of convulsive motion; to sigh with tears, and with a
convulsive drawing in of the breath.
[1913 Webster]
Sobbing is the same thing [as sighing], stronger.
--Bacon.
[1913 Webster]
She sighed, she sobbed, and, furious with despair.
She rent her garments, and she tore her hair. --Dryden.
[1913 Webster]
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
sobbing
n 1: convulsive gasp made while weeping [syn: {sob}, {sobbing}]
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