To cry noisily with convulsive catching of the breath.
From Middle English sobben, possibly imitative of the sound of crying. The word may be related to Old English seofian meaning 'to lament'.
Sobbing involves a unique physiological response where the diaphragm spasms involuntarily, creating the characteristic interrupted breathing pattern - it's one of the few emotional expressions that has such a distinctive and universal physical signature.
Crying and emotional expression coded as weak or 'hysterical' when performed by women; men's tears pathologized as loss of control, while women's tears are dismissed as manipulative or irrational.
Describe emotional expression (tears, distress) without gender stereotype; avoid labeling emotion differently by gender.
Emotional expression is human; crediting women's advocacy and anger (not just tears) as legitimate political force restores agency obscured by 'crying woman' stereotype.
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