† sortn.1
Obsolete.
1.
a. With possessive pronoun: The fate or lot of a particular person or persons.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > occurrence > future events > [noun] > destiny or fate > a destiny
weirdc725
sorta1325
fatality1589
fate1768
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 1186 Abimalech..sente after abraham..And bi-tagte him his wif a-non, And his yuel fort was ouer-gon.
c1374 G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde 1754 O lord, right now renneth my sort Fully to dye, or han anoon comfort.
1412–20 J. Lydgate tr. Hist. Troy v. 2643 Ageyn my sort me list not maligne.
a1500 (?c1450) Merlin ii. 36 Ye thought to sle hym, be the whiche ye sholde be brought to the deth as be youre sorte.
a1500 Lancelot of Laik (1870) 26 So be such meine fatit was my sort.
b. In more general sense: Destiny, hap, fate, fortune.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > occurrence > future events > [noun] > destiny or fate
whatec1200
gracec1325
destiny1340
portionc1350
sortc1405
weird1508
dolec1520
foredoom1563
fate1667
destinate1675
fatality1699
kismet1849
ultimatum1861
foredestiny1872
ming1937
c1405 (c1387–95) G. Chaucer Canterbury Tales Prol. (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 844 Anoon to drawen euery wight bigan..Were it by auenture, or sort or cas The sothe is this, the Cut fil to the knyght.
?c1450 Life St. Cuthbert (1891) l. 5915 It fell aftir be happe and sort.
1581 J. Marbeck Bk. Notes & Common Places 880 That the sorts & lots which appeare most subject to fortune goe so forth by his providence.
2.
a. = lot n. 1.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > free will > choice or choosing > types of choice > [noun] > choosing by casting lots > object used in
lotOE
cuta1340
sortc1400
c1400 (?c1380) Patience l. 193 Sone haf þay her sortes sette & serelych deled, & ay þe lote..lymped on Ionas.
1609 W. Shakespeare Troilus & Cressida i. iii. 369 Make a lottry And by deuise let blockish Aiax draw The sort to fight with Hector. View more context for this quotation
b. The casting or drawing of lots; divination by this means. Chiefly in by sort, = lot n. 1b.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > foresight, foreknowledge > prediction, foretelling > casting of lots, sortilege > [noun]
cavellingc1375
sortc1386
sortilegea1387
sortilegya1387
lot-casting1569
lottery1570
cleromancy1610
sortiary1653
draught1807
the mind > will > free will > choice or choosing > types of choice > [noun] > choosing by casting lots
lotOE
cutc1325
sortc1386
sortition1597
sortilege1600
ballotinga1618
sortilegy1643
ballota1680
sortilegium1858
c1386 G. Chaucer Parson's Tale ⁋605 What seye we of hem that bilieven on divinailes, as by flight or by nois of briddes.., or by sort, by geomancie [etc.] ?
a1470 J. Hardyng Chron. lxvii. ii Engist and Horsus,..By sort sent out all voyde of Saxonye.
1483 W. Caxton tr. Caton F j Thou oughtest not to enquyre by sorte or wytche crafte of that that god wyl doo.
c1500 Melusine (1895) 110 Ne also sort or enchauntment of art Magique..shul not lette ne greve you.
1525 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles II. 651 A generall fame..ran vpon her, that all the infyrmiteis the kyng had..came all by hir sortes and artes.
c. The choice resulting from such a casting of lots, = lot n. Phrases 1a. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > free will > choice or choosing > types of choice > [noun] > choosing by casting lots > choice resulting from
lotOE
sort1382
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Ezek. xxiv. 6 Woo to the citee of blodis..; soort, or lot, felle not vpon it.
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Luke i. 5 Ther was sum prest, Zacharie by name..of the sort of Abia.
?1566–7 G. Buchanan Opinion Reformation Univ. St. Andros in Vernacular Writings (1892) 10 That God..wald send the sort apon hym that war habliast to exerce that estat to hys glore.
3. That which is allotted or assigned; a share or portion. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > giving > distributing or dealing out > an allotted share, portion, or part > [noun]
dealc825
lotOE
dolea1225
partc1300
portion?1316
sort1382
parcelc1400
skiftc1400
pane1440
partagec1450
shift1461
skair1511
allotment1528
snapshare1538
share1539
slice1548
fee1573
snap1575
moiety1597
snatch1601
allotterya1616
proportiona1616
symbol1627
dealth1637
quantum1649
cavelc1650
snip1655
sortition1671
snack1683
quota1688
contingency1723
snick1723
contingent1728
whack1785
divvy1872
end1903
bite1925
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Josh. xvii. 18 Thow shalt not haue o soort, but thow shalt passe to the hil.
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Deeds viii. 21 Part is not to thee, nethir sort, in this word.
1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende 284 b/2 The men took wyues of theyr lignage only, that was by cause the distribucion of the sortes shold not be confounded.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1913; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
sortn.2
/sɔːt/, U.S. /sɔrt/ I. A kind, species, variety, or description of persons or things.
* Preceded by ‘of’.
1.
a. of a (certain) sort, of a certain kind, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > in respect of kind [phrase] > as opposed to individually
of a (certain) sortc1380
of (also in) (a certain) naturec1390
in specie1562
in a‥style1772
c1380 Eng. Wycliffite Serm. in Sel. Wks. I. 392 Al þe folk of þis soort is a world þat shal be dampned.
1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis I. 64 Ther ben lovers of such a sort, That feignen hem an humble port.
c1420 J. Lydgate Assembly of Gods 672 What pepyll they were that came to that dysport I shall yow declare of many a sondry sort.
1482 in Eng. Hist. Rev. XXV. 122 For every quayre of ye secounde soorte..he shalle haue viij d.
1545 Rates Custome House sig. bijv Fysche of the smalliste sorte.
1574 A. Golding tr. A. Marlorat Catholike Expos. Reuelation 113 The things that are red euery where in the Psalmes and prophets: of which sorte bee these sayings.
a1628 J. Preston New Covenant (1634) 133 They be not all of one sort, but of divers sorts, some of one sort, some of another sort, but they are all vessels of glory.
1681 J. Dryden Absalom & Achitophel 21 Surrounded thus with Freinds of every sort, Deluded Absalom, forsakes the Court.
1722 D. Defoe Relig. Courtship i. i. 15 I hope your Girls are not of that Sort.
1787 F. Burney Diary 16 Aug. (1842) III. 429 The moment a topic of that solemn sort is started.
1815 J. Smith Panorama Sci. & Art II. 284 It gives a considerable shock, but has little power of any other sort.
1841 W. M. Thackeray Great Hoggarty Diamond xiii Both your son and your daughter-in-law..are of that uncommon sort.
1875 B. Jowett in tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) V. 8 He should have a fear of the right sort, as well as a courage of the right sort.
b. of (various) sorts. (With numerals, etc.)
ΚΠ
1459 Paston Lett. I. 472 ij. quartelettes, of dyvers sortes.
1482 in Eng. Hist. Rev. XXV. 122 Which Bookes bene of iiij. dyuerse manere of soortes.
1519 in C. Innes Registrum Episcopatus Aberdonensis (1845) II. 175 Item iiij cusseins of nedyll werk of þre syndry sortis.
1548 W. Turner Names of Herbes sig. B.viijv Centaurium is of two sortes.
1563 T. Hacket tr. Whole & True Disc. Florida sig. Civv An innumerable sorte of wylde foule of all sorts.
1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan ii. xxiii. 125 Controversies are of two sorts, namely, of Fact and of Law.
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 92. ¶6 Plays of all Sorts have their several Advocates.
1765 Ann. Reg. 158 He had..33 pegging-awls, 37 awls of other sorts.
1811 Wordsw. in Mem. (1851) I. 410 Physical enginery of all sorts.
1843 Penny Cycl. XXV. 424/2 The rosettes are of two sorts, fixed and shifting.
2. † b. Hence of sort, of (high) quality or rank.
a. Used of persons, with special reference to character, disposition, or rank. (Cf. 11b.)
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > social class > [noun] > distinction of class > level or grade
mannishOE
placec1330
state1340
gree1382
conditionc1384
sectc1384
sortc1386
ordera1400
raff?a1400
degreea1425
countenancec1477
faction?1529
estate1530
race1563
calibre1567
being1579
coat1579
rang1580
rank1585
tier1590
classis1597
strain1600
consequence1602
regiment1602
sept1610
standinga1616
class1629
species1629
nome1633
quality1636
sort1671
size1679
situation1710
distinction1721
walk of life1733
walk1737
stage1801
strata1805
grade1808
caste1816
social stratum1838
station1842
stratum1863
echelon1950
c1386 G. Chaucer Cook's Tale 17 [He] gadred him a meyne of his sort, To hoppe and synge.
c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) li. 170 A companyon of your owne sort haue ye founde.
1581 G. Pettie tr. S. Guazzo Ciuile Conuersat. (1586) i. 4 These are for the most part men of good calling, and not of the common sort.
1600 W. Shakespeare Midsummer Night's Dream iii. ii. 160 None, of noble sort, Would so offend a virgine. View more context for this quotation
1621 H. Elsynge Notes Deb. House of Lords (1870) 63 For that he hathe made so clere and ingenuous confession, which men of his sorte doe not.
1630 R. Norton tr. W. Camden Hist. Princesse Elizabeth iv. 27 This Hacket was a man of vulgar sort.
1665 Orders Ld. Mayor London in D. Defoe Jrnl. Plague Year (1722) 46 Persons of good Sort and Credit.
1749 Ld. Chesterfield Let. 12 Dec. (1932) (modernized text) IV. 1461 Worse dressed than people of your sort are.
1781 W. Cowper Retirem. 716 The mind..Should turn to writers of an abler sort.
a1822 P. B. Shelley tr. J. W. von Goethe Scenes from Faust in Posthumous Poems (1824) 408 They are too mad for people of my sort.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > [adjective] > specifically of person
goodlyOE
thriftyc1374
duec1449
prettya1450
honest1551
well-qualitied1567
tight1601
of sort1606
reg'lar1814
bricky1864
sublimish1864
society > society and the community > social class > nobility > rank > [adjective] > exalted in rank
higheOE
stern of slatec1300
greatc1325
differentc1384
excellentc1400
haught1470
upper1477
elevate?1504
of sort1606
sublime1606
eminenta1616
exalted1623
elevated1665
uppish1797
ranking1847
high-up1848
high-ranking1850
superimposed1861
salt1868
top-ranking1936
1606 W. Warner Continuance Albions Eng. xvi. ci. 401 For things in some vnseemly are not such to some of Sort.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) iv. iv. 15 Giue notice to such men of sort and suite as are to meete him. View more context for this quotation
1624 J. Smith Gen. Hist. Virginia (1629) 106 His Lordship arrived.., accompanied with Sir Ferdinando Waynman..and divers other gentlemen of sort.
3.
a. of a sort, of the same kind or description. Now dialect (also of sort).
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > similarity > [adjective]
ylikeeOE
likeOE
anlikeOE
accordanta1325
of a (also one) mouldc1330
kindred1340
lichy1370
likelyc1384
alikea1393
ontinkela1400
evenly?c1400
similable?a1440
semble1449
of a sort1463
seemable1501
uniform1548
resembled1553
self-like1556
like-natured1566
resembling1573
kindlike1579
of the same, that, every, etc. feather1581
resemblant1581
marrow1585
similar1586
like-seeming1590
twin-like1599
connatural1601
similary1610
semblativea1616
otherlike1620
like-shaped1640
connate1641
homogeneous1641
consimilar1645
congenerous1646
resemblancing1652
congeniousa1656
congenerate1657
equaliform1660
congenial1669
similitive1678
symbolizant1685
synonymous1690
of akin1723
consimilary1736
like-sized1742
cogeneric1777
alike as a row of pins1785
congenerica1834
Siamese1833
congener1867
lak1881
sorty1885
homoeomorphic1902
homogenized1958
1463 in S. Tymms Wills & Inventories Bury St. Edmunds (1850) 23 ij lowe candylstikkez of a sorth.
1680 W. Temple Ess. Orig. & Nature Govt. in Wks. (1720) I. 95 The same Countries have generally in all times been used to Forms of Government much of a sort.
a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 34 They were men all of a sort.
1839 G. C. Lewis Gloss. Words Herefordshire 99 ‘A thing of a sort’ means a corresponding thing.
1876 T. M. Bound Hereford. & Shropshire Provinc.
b. In suggestive use: a word of a sort, a sharp or angry word or reproof. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disapproval > rebuke or reproof > [noun] > severe > instance of
choking pear1546
choke-pear1573
a flea in one's ear1577
rattle1652
juniper letter1655
juniper lecture1706
siserary1771
wig1789
a word of a sort1796
rowing1812
wigging1813
sloan1823
scorcher1842
rubdowna1846
tickler1846
slating1881
bawl-out1926
earful1929
caning1933
a kick in the pants1933
rollicking1938
rocket1941
bollocking1946
butt-kicking1970
1796 M. Robinson Angelina II. 39 I should have given him a word of a sort, I promise you.
1839 G. C. Lewis Gloss. Words Herefordshire 99 ‘Words of a sort’ means a quarrel.
4. of sorts:
a. Of different or various kinds. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > variety > variation [phrase] > all sorts of
all sorts of1558
of sorts1597
in sort1756
1597 in P. H. Hore Hist. Wexford (1900) I. 282 6 yards Canikin, 18 hatts of sorts.
1600 W. Shakespeare Henry V i. ii. 190 They [sc. bees] haue a King and officers of sort.
1825 T. Hook Sayings & Doings 2nd Ser. III. 249 At this moment cheeses of sorts were paraded.
1850 J. Greenwood Sailor's Sea-bk. 135 Nails of sorts are 4, 6, 8, 10, 24, 30, and 40-penny nails, all of different lengths..for nailing board, &c.
b. colloquial. In disparaging use: Of a kind which is not very satisfactory; rather poor. Also without marked disparagement: of some (untypical or unusual) kind, not having the usual characteristics, equipment, facilities, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > an individual case or instance > in the particular case [phrase] > an individual not typical of its class
a kind of?1565
a sort of‥1703
of sorts1902
1902 Daily Chron. 20 May 4/6 In the old days Spain provided an outlet of sorts.
1903 ‘A. McNeill’ Egregious Eng. (ed. 3) 91 Up to this time you have been an orator of sorts.
1946 D. Gwynn Bishop Challoner x. 155 In the Midlands the Franciscans had a school of sorts at Edgbaston.
1959 N. Marsh False Scent (1960) i. 21 There's a party of sorts at half-past which I hope may amuse you.
1972 Times Lit. Suppl. 4 Aug. 909/4 (advt.) He is a poetic eye, a visionary of sorts.
1973 Times 18 May 22/7 During the Second World War he was a soldier of sorts (he even rose from the ranks).
5. something of the sort, something similar to that previously indicated, mentioned, or specified. nothing of the sort, no such thing.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > similarity > [noun] > that which resembles something else
swilkc1175
anlike1340
liking1340
likeningc1350
semblancec1374
resemblancea1393
likenessa1400
semblablec1400
similitudinary?a1425
like1440
assemblable?1530
a horse of another (also the same, etc.) colour1530
resembler1570
fellowa1616
remonstrance1640
simile1743
ditto1776
something of the sort1839
that or this sort of thing1848
assimilate1935
the mind > attention and judgement > testing > refutation, disproof > [noun] > that which refutes
silencer1600
floorer1837
nothing of the sort1869
1839 F. A. Kemble Jrnl. Resid. Georgian Plantation (1863) 91 Something of the sort must be done.
1869 J. Martineau Ess. Philos. & Theol. 2nd Ser. 120 Spinoza does nothing of the sort.
1895 Law Times Rep. 73 692/1 With regard to the..estate in England I disclaim, but I do nothing of the sort as regards the..estate in America.
** Followed by ‘of’.
6. elliptical.1597 Bp. J. King Lect. Ionas Ep. Ded. sig. *4 Let it receiue favourable interpretation with all sortes of men.
a. A particular kind, etc., of thing(s) or person(s).
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > [noun] > a kind, sort, or class > a kind of
a spice ofc1380
number?a1425
sort1526
sort1529
space1591
a species of1620
singular.
plural.1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection i. sig. Dviii These two sortes of the chyldren of Israel.1590 J. Smythe Certain Disc. Weapons 7 That those sorts of weapons..may be more readilie..drawne out.1656 J. Hammond Leah & Rachel (1844) 13 The rivers afford innumerable sortes of choyce fish.1670 Lady M. Bertie in 12th Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS (1890) App. v. 21 The under pettycoatt very richly laced with two or three sorts of lace.1725 R. Bradley Chomel's Dictionaire Œconomique at Aristolochy There are four sorts of Aristolochies.1825 T. Hook Sayings & Doings 2nd Ser. III. 62 He..did an infinity of those sorts of things which were not professionally required of him.1529 T. More Supplyc. Soulys ii. f. xxxvi Let vs now see whether sorte of these twayne might take most harm.
1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. lxiij I knowe that sorte of men ryght well.
1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. iii. 102 These Cloysters haue a brauer life..than any sort of Friers can elsewhere find.
1671 J. Milton Samson Agonistes 1323 Have they not..ev'ry sort Of Gymnic Artists, Wrestlers, Riders, Runners..? View more context for this quotation
1740 H. Bracken Farriery Improv'd (ed. 2) II. v. 99 Hay well laid in is the only sort of Fodder for our Horses.
1779 Mirror No. 61 From the same sort of feeling has the idea of Home its attraction.
1804 W. Cruise Digest Laws Eng. Real Prop. III. 538 The second sort of prescription is that which arises from the several statutes of limitation.
1866 A. Trollope Belton Estate II. v. 134 A fair specimen of the sort of letter they ought not to write.
1885 Truth 28 May 854/2 He does not appear to be the sort of horse to stand much knocking about.
b. all sorts of (things or persons), = ‘things or persons of all kinds or descriptions’. (Cf. 7c.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > variety > variation [phrase] > all sorts of
all sorts of1558
of sorts1597
in sort1756
1558 W. Ward tr. G. Ruscelli Secretes Alexis of Piemount f. 33v Take of..al sortes of Mirabolanes.
1584 R. Scot Discouerie Witchcraft ii. x. 35 All sorts of writers..learned and vnlearned.
1603 Reg. Mag. Sig. Scot. 514/1 Ilk hors laid of fische, flesche, cornis and all sortis of viveris.
1687 A. Lovell tr. J. de Thévenot Trav. into Levant i. 143 All sorts of things are sold in this street.
1693 J. Dryden tr. Ovid Fable Acis, Polyphemus & Galatea in Examen Poeticum 93 All sorts of Ven'son; and of Birds the best.
1781 T. Gilbert Plan Relief Poor 6 Workhouses are generally inhabited by all Sorts of Persons.
1860 J. G. Holland Miss Gilbert's Career i. 9 They answered..to all sorts of questions in geography.
1891 H. Herman His Angel 238 I've been buying frocks and all sorts of things these days past.
c. With distinguishing adjectives or attributive phrases.
ΚΠ
1590 J. Smythe Certain Disc. Weapons Ded. Others of the most dispost and lustie sort of people of our Nation.
1615 G. Sandys Relation of Journey 120 A number of sheepe; which..they distribute vnto their slaues and poorer sort of people.
1676 J. Glanvill Ess. iv. 12 By leaving this whole unintelligible sort of beings out of its accounts.
1705 T. Hearne Remarks & Coll. 16 Aug. (O.H.S.) I. 30 Mr. Rymer..is a very good sort of Man.
1798 C. Smith Young Philosopher I. 207 I have been tired of such John Trott sort of prosing ever since I was ten years old.
1836 C. P. Traill Backwoods of Canada 123 We begin to get reconciled to our Robinson Crusoe sort of life.
1861 M. Pattison in Westm. Rev. Apr. 413 A vine or two and some of the finer sorts of fruit.
1885 G. Allen Babylon III. xxxviii. 156 Cecca was really not a bad sort of girl.
7. Used collectively:† d. With numerals or partitives. Obsolete.
a. With these or those.
ΚΠ
1556 R. Record Castle of Knowl. 86 These sort of people are named of the greke Cosmographers..Heteroscij.
1565 A. Golding tr. Caesar Martiall Exploytes in Gallia iii. f. 76 A great multitude..of those sorte of rascals whom hope of spoile..had wythdrawen from husbandrye.
1671 E. Phillips New World of Words (new ed.) Inchoatives, in Grammar are those sort of Verbs which express a gradual proceeding in any action.
1691 W. Nicholls Answer Naked Gospel 15 I do not think we are so much credulous, as these sort of Gentlemen are saucy.
1718 Entertainer No. 14. 94 These sort of Mortals are generally..prepossess'd with a good opinion of themselves.
1798 C. Smith Young Philosopher II. 29 These sort of details gave my poor father great delight.
1814 Syd. Smith in Lady Holland Mem. (1855) II. 113 I rather suppose it is too far from town for these sort of engagements.
1857 A. Trollope Barchester Towers xxxiv ‘Those sort of rules are all gone by now,’ said Mr. Arabin.
1872 J. Ruskin Fors Clavigera II. xxi. 19 What?..do those sort of people know what love is?
b. With plural verbs or pronouns. Now rare.
ΚΠ
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 99 The yonger sort of ye Monkes there gathered themselues together at midnight.
1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. v. 206 The best sort of Mahometans..call themselues Musilmans.
1647 F. Bland Souldiers March 36 There are yet another sort of Enemies [etc.].
c1671 Locke in Ld. King Life (1830) II. 284 There are a sort of propositions, passing under the title of maxims.
1704 N. N. tr. T. Boccalini Advts. from Parnassus III. 227 They thought such sort of Showes were not fit to be seen.
1769 E. Burke Observ. Late State Nation 91 There are a sort of middle tints and shades between the two extremes.
a1845 S. Smith Elem. Sketches Moral Philos. (1850) 110 Such sort of questions..are not merely innocent subtleties.
c. With all. (Cf. 6b) Now rare or Obsolete.
ΚΠ
1594 R. Ashley tr. L. le Roy Interchangeable Course i. f. 10v The countrie..aboundeth with all sort of corne, flesh, and fruit.
1603 Reg. Mag. Sig. Scot. 514/2 For mettage of all sort of victuall sauld or mett within the said burgh.
1641 J. Tombes Leaven of Pharisaicall Wil-worship (1643) 14 Al sort of erroneous teachers, and licentious livers, were tolerated.
1710 D. Manley Mem. Europe I. i. 126 With all sorts of Address, and artful seeming Sincerity.
1771 Hist. Sir William Harrington I. vi. 43 The earl..has thought fit to drop all sort of correspondence with me.
1804 A. Seward Mem. Dr. Darwin 5 He..supplied their necessities by food, and all sort of charitable assistance.
ΚΠ
1594 C. Marlowe & T. Nashe Dido iv. sig. Fv A garden where are..Musk-roses, and a thousand sort of flowers.
1732 J. Arbuthnot Pract. Rules of Diet i. 255 The Nature of most sort of animal Diet may be discovered by Taste and other sensible Qualities.
8. 1833 J. Hall Legends of West 50 It sort o' stirs one up to hear about old times.1858 T. Hughes Scouring of White Horse ii. 34 He was sort of proud of them.1870 B. Harte Luck of Roaring Camp & Other Sketches 11 The rosewood cradle..had, in Stumpy's way of putting it, ‘sorter killed the rest of the furniture’.1903 G. B. Shaw Man & Superman ii. 67 I'll sort of borrow the money from my dad until I get on my own feet.1930 A. Bennett Imperial Palace lxiii. 509 I don't believe they sort of understand English people, Italians don't.1949 Granta Christmas 43/2 One of us had to do a big strong man to sort of separate them.1952 B. Malamud Natural 126 I hoped she would straighten him out and sorta hold him in the team.1958 P. Scott Mark of Warrior ii. 202 They sort of stared at the river a bit, then buggered off.1973 Art Internat. Mar. 68/1 I sort of use music as a connection to more of the things I want to be about.1976 National Observer (U.S.) 25 Sept. 17/1 He calls it the ‘Icarus Human-Powered Aircraft.’ ‘It's sort of a cumbersome name.’1923 J. Manchon Le Slang 283 They hung back in their breeching sort-of, ils s'appuyaient sur l'avaloir, si je puis dire.1952 M. Laski Village xv. 206 It just happened, sort of, and we couldn't either of us help it.1959 Psychiatry 22 293/1 Except I feel like, well, what you're doing anyway is just sitting here and saying all these things just to tease me and to taunt me, sort of.1976 National Observer (U.S.) 28 Feb. 21/4 And it is all those things, sort of; and yet it is a really fine book.
a. In the phrase a sort of.., denoting that some thing, person, quality, etc., is, or may be, included in the specified class, although not typical of it or possessing all its characteristics; = ‘something in the nature of’. Cf. kind n. Phrases 3a(a).
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > similarity > [phrase] > a sort of
a sort of‥1703
a (or some) sort of a…1720
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > an individual case or instance > in the particular case [phrase] > an individual not typical of its class
a kind of?1565
a sort of‥1703
of sorts1902
1703 D. Defoe Let. Apr. in Hist. MSS Comm.: 15th Rep.: App. Pt. IV: MSS Duke of Portland (1897) IV. 62 in Parl. Papers (C. 8497) XLIX. 1 Fleeing from her Majesty's justice is a sort of making war against her.
1735 J. Swift Gulliver Introd. Let., in Wks. III. vi They use a Sort of Jabber, and do not go naked.
1780 Mirror No. 110 There is a sort of classic privilege in the very names of places in London.
1819 W. Scott Ivanhoe I. i. 11 His legs were cased in a sort of gaiters.
1845 M. Pattison in Christian Remembrancer Jan. 75 A moral power..forcing from them a sort of recognition of its claims.
1853 ‘P. Paxton’ Stray Yankee in Texas xiii. 137 A sorter jack-leg lawyer.
1884 W. C. Smith Kildrostan 69 We are grown To be a sort of dandies in religion.
b. So a (or some) sort of a…
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > similarity > [phrase] > a sort of
a sort of‥1703
a (or some) sort of a…1720
1720 C. Shadwell Hasty Wedding ii. iv I do think him but a sort of a, kind of a,..sort of a Gentleman.
1768 C. Beatty Jrnl. Two Months' Tour 28 We..put up at some sort of a public house.
1823 W. Scott Quentin Durward III. viii. 216 The richest heiress in Burgundy, has confessed a sort of a—what was I going to say?
1846–9 S. R. Maitland Ess. 47 Bishop Burnet is even kind enough to make a sort of an excuse for Sir Thomas More.
c. (a) sort of, o', a, sorter, used adverbially: In a way or manner; to some extent or degree, somewhat; in some way, somehow. Hence passing into use as a parenthetic qualifier expressing hesitation, diffidence, or the like, on the speaker's part; also (only in the full form sort of) following the statement it qualifies. Chiefly dialect and colloquial.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > smallness of quantity, amount, or degree > small of quantity, amount, or degree [phrase] > to some (small) extent
in (also by, with) measurec1225
in mannerc1425
somewhat1542
in some sort1556
in some (also a) measure1600
by somewhat1653
something of a(n)1711
(a) sort of, o', a, sorter1790
1790 A. Wheeler Westmorland Dial. 67 Its a fine Ewnin but its a sort a caad.
1839 F. Marryat Diary in Amer. II. 218 I bees a sorter courted, and a sorter not; reckon more a sorter yes than a sorter no.
1858 W. R. Pirie Inq. Human Mind i. 10 One is a sort of bewildered in attempting to discover what it really is which constitutes the obligation.
d. in a sort of (sorta) way, imperfectly; not exactly, absolutely, or properly.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > freedom from error, correctness > exactness, accuracy, precision > closeness to accuracy > [adverb]
much1560
nearly1594
muchwhat1619
nigh about1632
closely1682
roughly1768
close1833
approximatively1835
proximately1839
in the rough1841
approximately1845
along1852
nearbouta1857
in a sort of (sorta) way1868
in the (right) ballpark1945
grosso modo1952
1868 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues (Brit. Libr. pre-publ. copy) I. 34 The impossibility of a man knowing in a sort of way that which he does not know at all.
1897 T. Hardy Well-beloved i. viii. 66 ‘I advised you to go back, Marcie.’ ‘In a sort of way: not in the right tone.’
1967 E. Radford & M. A. Radford No Reason for Murder xvii. 115 ‘He ain't a'goin’ to come to life agin, guv'nor.’.. ‘I dunno... Mebbe he might—in a sorta way.’
9. no sort of.., used as an emphatic negative phrase to denote the complete absence of anything of the kind specified.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > existence > non-existence > [phrase] > nothing, no one, not any
never onec1175
never ac1300
never kinsc1300
no kinsc1350
for odd or evenc1425
never anyc1522
penny nor paternoster1528
never a one1534
not a soul1568
neither top nor toe1610
no flesh1663
neither horn nor hoof1664
no sort of‥1736
no nothing1815
1736 Bp. J. Butler Analogy of Relig. i. ii. 42 There is no Sort of Ground for being thus presumptuous.
1770 J. Langhorne & W. Langhorne tr. Plutarch Lives (1879) II. 634/2 No sort of harmony could exist between them.
1852 W. M. Thackeray Henry Esmond III. xii. 292 The great majority had no sort of inkling of the transaction pending.
1884 Manch. Examiner 25 Feb. 4/7 On the part of many, the inclination to work bears no sort of proportion to the inclination to talk.
10.
a. that or this sort of thing, used to denote in a general way a thing, quality, etc., of a like or similar nature to that specified.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > similarity > [noun] > that which resembles something else
swilkc1175
anlike1340
liking1340
likeningc1350
semblancec1374
resemblancea1393
likenessa1400
semblablec1400
similitudinary?a1425
like1440
assemblable?1530
a horse of another (also the same, etc.) colour1530
resembler1570
fellowa1616
remonstrance1640
simile1743
ditto1776
something of the sort1839
that or this sort of thing1848
assimilate1935
1848 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair lxv. 596 She is very unhappy, and—and that sort of thing.
1848 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair lxvi. 606 ‘Pooh! damn; don't let us have this sort of thing!’ Jos cried out,..anxious to get rid of a scene.
1889 J. K. Jerome Three Men in Boat 103 I would..lead a blameless, beautiful life,..and all that sort of thing.
b. sort of thing, used adverbially to indicate the inexactness or indefiniteness of the preceding words. Cf. sense 8c above. colloquial.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > disregard for truth, falsehood > inaccuracy, inexactness > incorrectness of language > [adverb] > in application of words > indicating vagueness
sort of thing1935
1935 E. Raymond We, the Accused v. ii. 572 What he doesn't know about the law isn't worth knowing, sort of thing.
1968 Guardian 24 Apr. 9/2 I don't just give him a sharp slap in temper, sort of thing.
1979 A. Fox Threat Warning Red xi. 161 A dummy run. Only go through the motions, sort of thing.
*** In elliptic or absolute use.† 15. Without article:† b. in sort, in various kinds; in variety. Obsolete.
11.
a. A particular class, order, or rank of persons.
ΚΠ
1529 T. More Dialogue Heresyes iv, in Wks. 287/2 That man..that would rather send his soule with such a sort as these be, than with all those holy saintes.
1572 J. Jones Bathes of Bathes Ayde Ep. Ded. sig. a ij Hieronymus Montuus..affirmeth that of all sortes, Phisike is to bee embraced.
1608 J. Dod & R. Cleaver Plaine Expos. Prov. xi-xii. 128 The one sort are led by the worde and spirit of God,..the other are led by the flesh, and Sathan.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost vi. 376 The other sort in might though wondrous.., Nameless in dark oblivion let them dwell. View more context for this quotation
1812 M. R. Mitford in A. G. L'Estrange Life M. R. Mitford (1870) I. 172 The first sort cannot go upon a water-party but you must read an account of it in three full sheets.
1871 ‘M. Legrand’ Cambr. Freshman 295 His lordship added,..they weren't his sort, and he should not have anything to do with 'em.
1878 R. Browning La Saisiaz in La Saisiaz: Two Poets of Croisic 44 All sorts and conditions that stood by..bore witness to the prophecy.
b. With defining or distinguishing adjective (usually in the comparative). Also (in the right sort) with reference to one person.Frequently from c1550 to c1650; now somewhat rare.
ΚΠ
1548 W. Turner Names of Herbes sig. C.vij Daphnoides called of the commune sort Laureola.
1549 E. Allen tr. L. Juda Paraphr. Reuelacion S. John f. 11, in M. Coverdale et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. II The spirituall sort, which haue their lyuynge of the gospel, wherunto they are the most extreme enemyes,..a thousande partes more than the secular and laye sorte.
1576 G. Gascoigne Steele Glas sig. I.jv The yonger sorte, come pyping on apace,..The elder sorte, go stately stalking on.
1611 M. Smith in Bible (King James) Transl. Pref. ⁋2 This is the lot and portion of the meaner sort onely.
1655 T. Stanley Hist. Philos. I. i. 53 Lawes are like cob-webs which entangle the lesser sort, the greater breake through.
a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 210 Sometimes they were fined, and the younger sort whipt about the streets.
1762 O. Goldsmith Citizen of World I. 51 The better sort here pretend to the utmost compassion for animals of every kind.
1842 C. G. F. Gore Fascination 15 You are one of the right sort.
1853 W. J. Hickie tr. Aristophanes Comedies II. 691 The better sort...do not ask for money.
?1863 T. Taylor Ticket-of-leave Man iii. 43 But don't look glum, Bob, you're the right sort, you are.
1883 Daily News 11 Sept. 3/1 A little knot of those formerly called emphatically ‘the right sort’.
1914 G. B. Shaw Fanny's Last Play i, in Misalliance 173 But hes the right sort: I can see that.
1936 A. Christie Murder in Mesopotamia xx. 178 She's young and she's crude, but she's the right sort.
c. So a (bad, good, etc.) sort, applied to a single person. colloquial.
ΘΚΠ
the world > people > person > [noun] > as having character or qualities
thingc1225
headc1300
vesselc1384
soul1498
sprite?1507
spirit1559
stick1682
character1749
fish1751
hand1756
subject1797
person1807
good1809
specimen1817
a (bad, good, etc.) sortc1869
proposition1894
cookie1913
type1922
city1946
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > [noun] > good person
bricka1845
my tulip1847
honey1848
a (bad, good, etc.) sortc1869
rattler1886
toff1898
one of the best1917
goody1934
the mind > goodness and badness > badness or evil > evil person > [noun]
fiendc1220
shrewc1250
quedea1275
felon1340
malfeasorc1380
evil-doer1398
forfeiter1413
pucka1450
malefactor?c1450
wicked-doerc1450
improbe1484
wicked1484
Gomorrheana1529
dunghill1542
felonian1594
naughta1639
black sheep1640
pimp1649
hellicat1816
malfeasant1867
a bad sortc1869
bad seed1954
bloody1960
the world > relative properties > number > plurality > great number, numerousness > [noun] > a large number or multitude
sandc825
thousandc1000
un-i-rimeOE
legiona1325
fernc1325
multitudec1350
hundred1362
abundancec1384
quantityc1390
sight1390
felec1394
manyheada1400
lastc1405
sortc1475
infinityc1480
multiplie1488
numbers1488
power1489
many1525
flock1535
heapa1547
multitudine1547
sort1548
myriads1555
myriads1559
infinite1563
tot-quot1565
dickera1586
multiplea1595
troop1596
multitudes1598
myriad1611
sea-sands1656
plurality1657
a vast many1695
dozen1734
a good few1756
nation1762
vast1793
a wheen (of)1814
swad1828
lot1833
tribe1833
slew1839
such a many1841
right smart1842
a million and one1856
horde1860
a good several1865
sheaf1865
a (bad, good, etc.) sortc1869
immense1872
dunnamuch1875
telephone number1880
umpty1905
dunnamany1906
skit1913
umpteen1919
zillion1922
gang1928
scrillion1935
jillion1942
900 number1977
gazillion1978
fuckload1984
c1869 T. Taylor & A. W. Dubourg New Men & Old Acres i. 10 Fanny Bunter—in spite of her Ruskinism-run-mad—isn't half a bad sort.
1875 W. W. Reade Outcast 202 Our host told us the old woman was his mother, and we musn't [sic] mind her being cross, she being a real good sort all the same.
1882 J. Sturgis Dick's Wandering III. iv. xlii. 82 They cursed and said that Dick was a good sort.
1891 C. Roberts Adrift in Amer. 165 On the whole he was not a bad sort.
d. Proverb. it takes all sorts to make a world; also elliptically it takes all sorts.
ΚΠ
1620 T. Shelton tr. M. de Cervantes Don Quixote ii. vi. 34 In the world there must bee of all sorts.
1767 S. Johnson Let. 17 Nov. (1992) I. 293 The world, says Locke, has people of all sorts.]
1844 D. Jerrold Story of Feather xxviii. 161 Click can't get off this time?.. Well, it takes all sorts to make a world.
1908 K. Grahame Wind in Willows iv. 89 The Wild Wood is pretty well populated..with all the usual lot, good, bad, and indifferent... It takes all sorts to make a world.
1940 F. B. Young Mr. Lucton's Freedom ii. v. 182 It takes all sorts to make a world, to coin a phrase.
1951 E. Coxhead One Green Bottle i. 35 ‘I daresay it takes all sorts—’ conceded Harry vaguely.
1965 J. Fleming Nothing is Number ii. iii. 68 She shrugged. ‘It takes all sorts, you know.’
1975 J. I. M. Stewart Young Pattullo iii. 71 ‘My father's a banker during the week and a country gent at week-ends. Takes all sorts you know.’ ‘Takes all sorts?’ ‘To make a world.’
e. A girl or young woman; a girl-friend. (Predominantly in male use.) slang (originally Australian).
ΘΚΠ
the world > people > person > young person > young woman > [noun]
daughterOE
maidenOE
young womanOE
mayc1175
burdc1225
maidc1275
wenchc1290
file1303
virginc1330
girla1375
damselc1380
young ladya1393
jilla1425
juvenclec1430
young person1438
domicellea1464
quean1488
trull1525
pulleta1533
Tib1533
kittyc1560
dell1567
gillian1573
nymph1584
winklota1586
frotion1587
yuffrouw1589
pigeon1592
tit1599
nannicock1600
muggle1608
gixy1611
infanta1611
dilla1627
tittiea1628
whimsy1631
ladykin1632
stammel1639
moggie1648
zitellaa1660
baggagea1668
miss1668
baby1684
burdie1718
demoiselle1720
queanie?1800
intombi1809
muchacha1811
jilt1816
titter1819
ragazza1827
gouge1828
craft1829
meisie1838
sheila1839
sixteenc1840
chica1843
femme1846
muffin1854
gel1857
quail1859
kitten1870
bud1880
fräulein1883
sub-debutante1887
sweet-and-twenty1887
flapper1888
jelly1889
queen1894
chick1899
pusher1902
bit of fluff1903
chicklet1905
twist and twirl1905
twist1906
head1913
sub-deb1916
tabby1916
mouse1917
tittie1918
chickie1919
wren1920
bim1922
nifty1923
quiff1923
wimp1923
bride1924
job1927
junior miss1927
hag1932
tab1932
sort1933
palone1934
brush1941
knitting1943
teenybopper1966
weeny-bopper1972
Valley Girl1982
the mind > emotion > love > a lover > [noun] > one who is loved or a sweetheart > specifically a female sweetheart or girlfriend
lief971
ladya1393
ladyshipa1393
speciala1400
amiec1400
womanc1400
amoreta1425
mistressc1425
paramoura1450
fair ladya1470
girl?a1513
sooterkin1530
Tib1533
she1547
lady-love1568
jug1569
young lady1584
pigeon1592
love-lass1594
lass1596
dowsabel1612
swainling1615
lucky1629
Dulcinea1638
Lindabrides1640
inamorata1651
baby1684
best girl1691
lady friend1733
young woman1822
moll1823
querida1834
sheila1839
bint1855
tart1864
babykins1870
Dona1874
novia1874
fancy-girl1892
girlfriend1892
cliner1895
tootsy1895
dinah1898
best1904
twist and twirl1905
jane1906
kitten1908
patootie1918
meisie1919
bride1924
gf1925
jelly1931
sort1933
a bit (also piece) of homework1945
beast1946
queen1955
momma1964
mi'jita1970
her indoors1979
girlf1991
1933 F. Clune Try Anything Once 93 ‘Look here, George,’ I said. ‘Lend me a suit of civvies. I've got to meet a great little sort, and her father has a dead nark on soldiers.’
1953 T. A. G. Hungerford Riverslake 144 Felix came in after tea and said that his sort could come.
1968 K. Denton Walk around my Cluttered Mind 137 They'd told me, ‘Don't worry about bringing anything except a bottle. The sorts are laid on.’ Even after only ten months I understood this to mean that there would be feminine company.
1970 Daily Progress (Charlottesville, Va.) 7- c/3 He [sc. a skinhead in the U.K.] wants only to drink, go out with ‘sorts’, another word for girls, perhaps take pep pills or marijuana.
1972 A. Draper Death Penalty ii. 13 Ben..drove..to pick up Jeannie—his ‘sort’ or ‘gimpy’. For that was how he described his girl friend.
12. A kind, variety, etc., of thing(s). Cf. allsorts n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > [noun] > a kind, sort, or class
kinc950
kindOE
distinction?c1225
rowc1300
spece1303
spice1303
fashionc1325
espicec1386
differencea1398
statec1450
sort?1523
notion1531
species1561
vein1568
brood1581
rank1585
order1588
race1590
breed1598
strain1612
batch1616
tap1623
siege1630
subdivision1646
notionality1651
category1660
denomination1664
footmark1666
genus1666
world1685
sortment1718
tribe1731
assortment1767
description1776
style1794
grouping1799
classification1803
subcategory1842
type1854
basket1916
?1523 J. Fitzherbert Bk. Husbandry f. xliiiv Than sort the trees, the polles by theymselfe, the myddell sorte by themselfe.
1567 J. Maplet Greene Forest f. 2 One of those sortes that is easie to engraue in.
1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry ii. f. 49 Whereas the Hearbes and Trees are seuered euery sort in their due place.
1633 T. Johnson Gerard's Herball (new ed.) iii. 1448 These..sorts; the common, the long,..and the early Aprecocke.
1690 J. Locke Ess. Humane Understanding iii. iii. 195 Things are ranked under Names into sorts or Species, only as they agree to certain abstract Ideas, to which we have annexed those Names.
1776 W. Cowper Let. 12 Nov. (1979) I. 265 One to whom Fish is so welcome..can have no great Occasion to distinguish the Sorts.
1842 J. C. Loudon Suburban Horticulturist 643 According to the richness of the soil and the vigour of the sort.
1861 C. Dickens Great Expectations I. v. 66 May you live a thousand years, and never be a worse judge of the right sort.
13. † a. plural. Spices. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > additive > spice > [noun]
pigment?a1200
aromac1220
spicea1250
spicery1297
specea1300
specerya1400
espice1483
savoura1500
sorts1530
speciesa1649
Arabia1693
1530 in Whitaker Hist. Craven (1812) 306 Item 2 pounds of sorts of Portugal.
b. Typography. One or other of the characters or letters in a fount of type. Usually in plural.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > printing > types, blocks, or plates > relating to type > [noun] > belonging to font
sort1668
1668–9 in Cent. Typogr. Univ. Press, Oxford (1900) 156 Then you will perceiue what sorts your worke runns most vpon and so you must cast ouer such sorts.
1683 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises II. Dict. 391 The Letters..in every Box of the Case are..called Sorts in Printers and Founders Language; Thus a is a Sort, b is a Sort.
1770 P. Luckombe Conc. Hist. Printing 248 For example, c, i, m, p, q, u, being Latin Sorts, might be more sparingly cast.
1784 B. Franklin in J. Bigelow Life B. Franklin (1881) III. 256 The founts, too, must be very scanty, or strangely out of sorts.
1808 C. Stower Printer's Gram. 54 The expense..in casting a fount of letter with such a number of heavy sorts will be considerable.
1808 C. Stower Printer's Gram. 60 The upper case sorts... The lower case sorts.
1839 T. C. Hansard Treat. Printing & Type-founding (1841) 82 Capital letters, figures, accented letters, particular sorts, &c.
1888 C. T. Jacobi Printers' Vocab. 128 Sorts, the general term applied to any particular letter or letters as distinguished from a complete fount.
14. out of sorts:in extended use.1815 W. Scott Guy Mannering III. v. 89 One of the bed-posts..was broken down, so that the tester and curtains hung forward into the middle of the narrow chamber... ‘Never mind that being out o' sorts, captain.’1873 R. Browning Red Cotton Night-cap Country i. 47 A sense that something is amiss, Something is out of sorts in the display.
a. Not in the usual or normal condition of good health or spirits; in a low-spirited, irritable, or peevish state, esp. through physical discomfort; slightly unwell.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > [adjective] > in state of ill health or diseased > disordered or out of sorts
out of estatec1400
disordainedc1430
out of order1530
mistempered?1541
untemperate1541
so-soa1592
indisposed1598
discomposed1603
out of sorts1621
disorderly1655
queerish1684
out of one's gears1699
disordered1708
uneasy1725
seedy1729
queer1749
scaly1803
quisby1807
under the weather1827
all nohow1852
toneless1854
nohowish1867
chippy1868
fishy1868
off-colour1876
dicky1883
on-and-offish1888
cheap1891
crook1916
lousy1933
the mind > emotion > anger > irascibility > ill humour > [adjective] > in an ill humour
maltalenta1578
in a jeer1579
in suds1611
sullen-sick1614
in the pouts1615
out of sorts1621
cross1639
off the hooks1662
huff1714
sulkinga1777
as cross as a bear1838
sore-headed1844
sore-head1862
baity1921
1621 S. Ward Life of Faith vii. 48 I wonder..to see one..that knowes all must worke for the best, to bee at any time out of tune or out of sorts.
1642 D. Rogers Naaman 98 But now..being defeated, he is out of sorts, and chuseth rather..to goe away, than to be cured thereby.
1702 S. Parker tr. Cicero Five Bks. De Finibus App. 360 When our Affairs are discouraging,..we must be at least proportionably Unhappy, and out of Sorts.
1775 F. Burney Early Diary (1889) II. 42 He was extremely out of sorts because there was some company in the room who did not please him.
1801 Ld. Cornwallis in Ld. Stanhope Life Pitt (1862) III. xxxi. 354 I am myself out of sorts, lowspirited, and tired of everything.
1857 C. Dickens Little Dorrit ii. xiii. 435 I am weary and out of sorts to-night.
1871 G. H. Napheys Prevention & Cure Dis. ii. i. 356 The child which is only out of sorts frets itself.
b. In literal sense: Out of or without certain kinds of articles or goods. Also transferred.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > non-possession > non-possession [phrase] > through lack of > without certain kinds of articles
out of sorts1670
1670 J. Ray Coll. Eng. Prov. 225 Many a man..coming home from far voyages, may chance to land here, and being out of sorts, is unable for the present time..to recruit himself with clothes.
1675 V. Alsop Anti-Sozzo 278 Their unhappiness is, they have not so vast a Stock to set up with, and some~times may be out of Sorts.
1675 V. Alsop Anti-Sozzo 520 He may upon these principles, coyn as many several sorts..of justifying Faith, as he can possibly spend in seven years time; and as he grows out of sorts, he may stamp as many more.
a. Rank, class. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > social class > [noun] > distinction of class > level or grade
mannishOE
placec1330
state1340
gree1382
conditionc1384
sectc1384
sortc1386
ordera1400
raff?a1400
degreea1425
countenancec1477
faction?1529
estate1530
race1563
calibre1567
being1579
coat1579
rang1580
rank1585
tier1590
classis1597
strain1600
consequence1602
regiment1602
sept1610
standinga1616
class1629
species1629
nome1633
quality1636
sort1671
size1679
situation1710
distinction1721
walk of life1733
walk1737
stage1801
strata1805
grade1808
caste1816
social stratum1838
station1842
stratum1863
echelon1950
1671 J. Milton Samson Agonistes 1608 With seats where all the Lords and each degree Of sort, might sit in order to behold. View more context for this quotation
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > variety > variation [phrase] > all sorts of
all sorts of1558
of sorts1597
in sort1756
1756 M. Calderwood Lett. & Jrnls. (1884) ix. 248 As for timber things and kitchen things in sort, smith and wright work were all to sell ready made.
16. that's your sort (also dialect sorts), as a term of approbation. slang.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > commendation or praise > expressions of commendation [interjection]
well-donea1500
macte1573
hear- him1727
hear1768
that's your sort1792
top marks1829
that's the spirit1853
good for you (also him, her, etc.)1855
good man1887
good egg1903
attaboy1909
to go up (also down) one1909
right on1911
hotcha1931
thataboy1936
hubba-hubba1944
chapeau1976
1792 T. Holcroft Road to Ruin v. i That's your sort!
1793 European Mag. 23 307 A sly old dame, long used to scenes of sport, Cocks her one eye, and snuffles, ‘That's your sort’.
1825 J. Jamieson Etymol. Dict. Sc. Lang. Suppl. (at cited word) That's your sorts! an exclamation used when one is highly pleased with an action or thing.
1864 J. C. Hotten Slang Dict. (new ed.) (at cited word) Pitch it into him, that's your sort.
II. A number or collection of associated people or things.† 17. † b. in sort, on a sort, in a body or company. in sort with, in common with. Obsolete.1828 W. Scott Fair Maid of Perth iv, in Chron. Canongate 2nd Ser. I. 103 Here are a sort of knaves breaking peace within burgh.1865 A. C. Swinburne Chastelard (1894) i. i. 7 What a sort of men Crowd all about the squares!1880 T. E. Webb tr. J. W. von Goethe Faust i. ii. 57 A soldier, with a sort of gallants round him.† d. all the sort of (you, etc.), every one. Obsolete.† e. A collection, parcel, set, etc., of things.† 20. † b. by a great sort, by a great deal; by much. Obsolete. rare.
a. A number of persons associated together in some way; a band, company, group, or set of persons (or animals). Obsolete.In this and the next group not always clearly distinct from senses 6, 11, 12.
ΚΠ
c1489 J. Skelton Dethe Erle of Northumberlande l. 212 in Poet. Wks. (1843) I. 14 The heuenly yerarchy, With all the hole sorte of that glorious place.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 3713 The Dukes were drounet, & oþer dere folke. All the sort þat hom suet sunkyn to ground.
a1547 Earl of Surrey tr. Virgil Fourth Bk. Aeneas (1554) iv. sig. Biv Paris nowe with hys unmanly sorte.
1583 T. Stocker tr. Tragicall Hist. Ciuile Warres Lowe Countries i. 2 One sorte of them was burnt, another sort hanged, the thirde drowned, and the fourth sorte had no more hurt but their heades cut off.
1612 W. Sclater Sick Souls Salve 3 An other sort there are, and they as heavily complaine.
1622 (?a1513) W. Dunbar Poems (Reidpeth) (1998) I. 65 That seimlie sort in ordour weill besein Did meit the quein.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > similarity > [phrase] > in common with
in sort witha1400
the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > state of being gathered together > in/into one place, company, or mass [phrase] > together or in a body > specifically of people or animals
as one mana1382
in (also on, upon, etc.) a routa1387
in blanda1400
in sorta1400
on a sorta1550
at one1591
in the (or a) quilla1616
in uniform1623
in hand1883
a1400–50 Alexander 1555 All þe cite in sorte felowis him eftir.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 4326 Nawther cercumsiset sothely in sort with the Jewes, Ne comyn with cristenmen.
a1550 in R. Dyboski Songs, Carols & Other Misc. Poems (1908) 106 I shall you tell a full good sport, How gossippis gader them on a sort.
1600 W. Shakespeare Midsummer Night's Dream iii. ii. 21 As..russet pated choughes, many in sort.., Seuer themselues. View more context for this quotation
c. Const. of (persons or animals).Common from c1520 to 1650; now archaic.
ΚΠ
1509 S. Hawes Pastime of Pleasure (1845) xxvii. 129 To beholde so fayre and good a sorte Of goodly knyghtes.
1542 N. Udall tr. Erasmus Apophthegmes f. 106 A sorte of young striepleynges standing about Diogenes.
1601 B. Jonson Every Man in his Humor i. iii. sig. C2v I was requested to supper yesternight by a sort of gallants. View more context for this quotation
?1611 G. Chapman tr. Homer Iliads iv. 460 The Trojans, like a sort of ewes penn'd in a rich man's fold.
1651 J. Saint-Amard tr. F. Micanzio Life Father Paul sig. Ev In the merchants street there used to meete a sort of gallant and vertuous gentlemen to recount their Intelligences, one with another.
1687 J. Dryden Hind & Panther iii. 126 A sort of Doves were hous'd too near their Hall.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > generality > [noun] > the generality > each and every one thing
each oneOE
everya1250
still and boldc1300
all and somea1350
all and somea1350
one and all (also all and one)a1400
all and sundry1428
all the sort of1535
every or each several?a1562
first and last1582
each and singular1668
all and singular1669
every man jack1807
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Job xvi. 1 Miserable geuers of comforte are ye, all the sorte of you.
1549 M. Coverdale et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. II. 1 John i. f. xliiv Traunsgressions..doone awaye all the sorte of them by the precious blood of his sonne.
1561 T. Hoby tr. B. Castiglione Courtyer iii. sig. Ll.iiiv Ye are all the sort of you to great Clearkes in loue.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > state of being gathered together > an assemblage or collection > [noun]
queleta1382
congregationc1384
numberc1400
hirselc1425
company1439
assemblement1470
bundle1535
sort1563
raccolta1591
bevy1604
crew1607
congest1625
concoursea1628
nest1630
comportation1633
racemationa1641
assembly1642
collect1651
assemblage1690
faggot1742
museum1755
pash1790
shock1806
consortium1964
1563 2nd Tome Homelyes Agst. Parell Idol. iii. sig. T t iij By the space of a sort of hundreth yeares.
1584 G. Peele Araygnem. Paris i. v. sig. Bv Thou hast a sorte of pretie tales in stoore, Dare saye no Nymphe in Ida woods hath more.
1606 G. Chapman Gentleman Vsher ii. sig. C3 I hope youle then stand like a sort of blocks.
18. † b. Const. of (persons or things). Obsolete.Common c1550–1630, esp. of persons.
a. A (great, good, etc.) number or lot of persons or things; a considerable body or quantity; a multitude.Common from c1530 to 1600; now dialect.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > number > plurality > great number, numerousness > [noun] > a large number or multitude
sandc825
thousandc1000
un-i-rimeOE
legiona1325
fernc1325
multitudec1350
hundred1362
abundancec1384
quantityc1390
sight1390
felec1394
manyheada1400
lastc1405
sortc1475
infinityc1480
multiplie1488
numbers1488
power1489
many1525
flock1535
heapa1547
multitudine1547
sort1548
myriads1555
myriads1559
infinite1563
tot-quot1565
dickera1586
multiplea1595
troop1596
multitudes1598
myriad1611
sea-sands1656
plurality1657
a vast many1695
dozen1734
a good few1756
nation1762
vast1793
a wheen (of)1814
swad1828
lot1833
tribe1833
slew1839
such a many1841
right smart1842
a million and one1856
horde1860
a good several1865
sheaf1865
a (bad, good, etc.) sortc1869
immense1872
dunnamuch1875
telephone number1880
umpty1905
dunnamany1906
skit1913
umpteen1919
zillion1922
gang1928
scrillion1935
jillion1942
900 number1977
gazillion1978
fuckload1984
c1475 Mankind 257 in Macro Plays 10 We xall cum euery~chon, Mo þen a goode sorte.
?1533 W. Tyndale Expos. Mathew Prol. f. vi A great sorte are so feable that they can nether go forwarde in their profession and purpose, ner yet stonde.
1551 W. Turner New Herball sig. I ijv If one be set alone..their wil a great sorte within a shorte space growe of that same roote.
1600 P. Holland tr. Livy Rom. Hist. xxviii. xi. 676 A great sort were compelled..to repaire againe into their country habitations.
1650 R. Stapleton tr. F. Strada De Bello Belgico v. 117 A great sort were drawn in, with the tunes set to the Psalmes, translated..into French meeter.
1796 W. Marshall Provincialisms E. Yorks. in Rural Econ. Yorks. (ed. 2) II. 346 Sort, many; ‘a good soort’, a great many.
1855 F. K. Robinson Gloss. Yorks. Words 162 There was a good soort there.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > [noun] > a kind, sort, or class > a kind of
a spice ofc1380
number?a1425
sort1526
sort1529
space1591
a species of1620
1529 T. More Dialogue Heresyes i, in Wks. 106/2 Of which two thinges I coulde out of..holy saintes workes gether a good sorte.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Jer. xliv. 15 All the men..& a greate sorte off wyues that stode there.
1578 T. Tymme tr. J. Calvin Comm. Genesis 60 The Lord had..enriched him with an innumerable sorte of benefits.
1600 Abp. G. Abbot Expos. Prophet Ionah 617 Young and old, male and female of reasonable creatures, to a very great sort of thousands.
1637 R. Ashley tr. V. Malvezzi Davide Perseguitato 257 A great sort of men offend their God in their prosperity, and pray unto him in their adversity.
1681 W. Robertson Phraseologia Generalis (at cited word) A great sort of Ships came from all parts.
19. In the same sense as preceding without qualifying adjective. Now dialect.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > number > plurality > great number, numerousness > [noun] > a large number or multitude
sandc825
thousandc1000
un-i-rimeOE
legiona1325
fernc1325
multitudec1350
hundred1362
abundancec1384
quantityc1390
sight1390
felec1394
manyheada1400
lastc1405
sortc1475
infinityc1480
multiplie1488
numbers1488
power1489
many1525
flock1535
heapa1547
multitudine1547
sort1548
myriads1555
myriads1559
infinite1563
tot-quot1565
dickera1586
multiplea1595
troop1596
multitudes1598
myriad1611
sea-sands1656
plurality1657
a vast many1695
dozen1734
a good few1756
nation1762
vast1793
a wheen (of)1814
swad1828
lot1833
tribe1833
slew1839
such a many1841
right smart1842
a million and one1856
horde1860
a good several1865
sheaf1865
a (bad, good, etc.) sortc1869
immense1872
dunnamuch1875
telephone number1880
umpty1905
dunnamany1906
skit1913
umpteen1919
zillion1922
gang1928
scrillion1935
jillion1942
900 number1977
gazillion1978
fuckload1984
1548 in J. Strype Ann. Reformation (1824) VI. 315 If the world shal turn, A sort of you shal burn.
1564 T. Becon Wks. I. Pref. sig. A vv Your wisedomes see, what a sort of vnmete men labour dayly to runne hedlong vnto the ministery.
1597 T. Middleton Wisdome of Solomon Paraphr. xiv. sig. S See what a sort of rebells are in armes.
1823 E. Moor Suffolk Words 377 A sort of loads.
1825 J. T. Brockett Gloss. North Country Words Sort, a lot, a parcel, a number.
a. A (great, etc.) part or portion of a number of persons or things. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > incompleteness > part of whole > [noun] > a or some part of something
somedeala900
somethingc1200
somewhat1297
portionc1390
sharea1450
sort1575
something1654
1575 W. Painter Palace of Pleasure (rev. ed.) II. v. f. 28 But the greatest soart of the litle infants were slaine out of hand.
1600 P. Holland tr. Livy Rom. Hist. v. 180 He tooke from them the very plaiers and actors, whereof a great sort were his own servants.
1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. ii. 70 The greater sort of her mercenary sexe.
1669 S. Sturmy Summary of Penalties & Forfeitures in Mariners Mag. 7 If any..Person..shall permit any sort of the Package therein to be opened, imbezeled, or altered.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > greatly or very much [phrase] > to a great extent or by far
great quantityc1330
far forthly1362
by farc1380
well awayc1390
by half?a1400
by mucha1450
far (and) away1546
by a great sort1579
to stand head and shoulders abovea1683
(by) a long way1741
by a jugful1831
by all odds1832
by a long, damn, etc., sight1834
out and away1834
(by) a long chalk1835
by chalks1835
by long chalks1835
by a street1886
a whole lot1886
1579 J. Stubbs Discouerie Gaping Gulf sig. Cvij More loanes of hundred powndes, forty pounds, twenty pounds,..then were euer payd agayn by a great sort.
III. Manner, method, or way.† 23. † b. So on such (a) sort, on this sort. Obsolete.† c. at all sorts, at all points. Obsolete. rare.
21. In phrases with in:† e. in no sort, in no way, to no extent, not at all. Obsolete.† f. in sort, followed by as or that. Obsolete.† g. in all sorts, altogether, completely. Obsolete. rare.
a. Qualified by demonstratives or similar words, as in this, that, such, (the) like, what, etc., sort. Now archaic.Most of these are common from c1550.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > [phrase] > in this, some, any, etc., way
in (also on, by) this (also what, any, such, etc.) manner (of) wisea1375
nowaysa1400
in this, that, such, (the) like, what, etc., sort1533
in good, honest, etc., sort1548
after a (‥) sort1551
1533 J. Bellenden tr. Livy Hist. Rome (1901) I. ii. xi. 169 Thir tithingis movit þe faderis & commouns in diuers maner and sortis.
1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. ccclv They can fynde none that wyll go in that sorte.
1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry i. f. 10 I thought in the like sort the wheele of a mill myght be turned.
1601 J. Wheeler Treat. Commerce 75 In what sort can her Maiesty.. tolerate or suffer that [etc.]?
1672 J. Dryden Conquest Granada i. i. i. 8 If we treat gallant Strangers in this sort, Mankind will shun th' inhospitable Court.
1713 R. Steele in Guardian 12 Mar. 1/2 Not without some hope of having my Vanity..indulged in the sort above-mention'd.
1782 W. Cowper John Gilpin 93 His horse, who never in that sort Had handled been before.
1800 W. Wordsworth Michael 207 While in this sort the simple household lived From day to day.
1866 J. M. Neale Sequences & Hymns 11 But in other sort, that midnight round their watch-fires' blaze they feast.
1871 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest IV. xviii. 287 Stores of corn..men brought together and destroyed in the like sort.
b. With distinguishing adjective, as in good, honest, etc., sort. Now rare. †Sometimes with a, any, some, this, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > [phrase] > in this, some, any, etc., way
in (also on, by) this (also what, any, such, etc.) manner (of) wisea1375
nowaysa1400
in this, that, such, (the) like, what, etc., sort1533
in good, honest, etc., sort1548
after a (‥) sort1551
(a)
(b)1592 T. Kyd Spanish Trag. ii. sig. C3v Giue me notice in some secret sort.1594 C. Marlowe & T. Nashe Dido i. i To wear Their bow and quiver in this modest sort.1642 D. Rogers Naaman 29 Jehoram,..who sent a cursed messenger before him..(met in a holy sort before God in the judgement of famine).a1704 T. Brown Dialogue Oxf. Schollars in Wks. (1707) I. i. 10 He did not know how to maintain himself and his Family in any tolerable sort.1548 E. Gest Treat. againste Masse sig. Bv Yf the signe be counterfayt and fayned, then nedes must the thing be in semblable sorte, whyche is betokened.
1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay Nauigations Turkie ii. v. 35 I haue not seen..a nation..which studieth more in all honest sorte to obtayne the fauour of straungers.
1589 M. Philips in R. Hakluyt Princ. Navigations iii. 572 Wherein is shewed in what good sort,..we liued with our masters.
1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile 79 Hee speedily affronted the Georgians, who receiued him in warlike sort.
1657 A. Sparrow Rationale Bk. Common Prayer (1661) 42 He which prays in due sort, is..made the more attentive.
1713 J. Swift Faggot in Wks. (1735) II. 98 Stewards..who in solemn Sort Appear with slender Wands at Court.
1785 W. Cowper Task vi. 377 Each animal..growl'd defiance in such angry sort, As taught him, too, to tremble in his turn.
1813 W. Scott Bridal of Triermain ii. xviii. 81 The champions, armed in martial sort.
1863 C. Patmore Faithful for Ever x, in Angel in House (ed. 3) II. 56 According to such nuptial sort As may subsist in the holy court.
c. in some sort, in a certain undefined or unknown way; to some extent or degree. Frequently in parenthetic use.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > smallness of quantity, amount, or degree > small of quantity, amount, or degree [phrase] > to some (small) extent
in (also by, with) measurec1225
in mannerc1425
somewhat1542
in some sort1556
in some (also a) measure1600
by somewhat1653
something of a(n)1711
(a) sort of, o', a, sorter1790
1556 tr. J. de Flores Histoire de Aurelio & Isabelle sig. H8 The ladies leaste experimentede and wittey be in some sorte the chasteste.
1597 T. Morley Plaine & Easie Introd. Musicke Ded. sig. A2 To notifie vnto your selfe in some sort the entire loue..which I beare vnto you.
1615 W. Lawson Country Housewifes Garden (1626) 7 The Sunne (in some sort) is the life of the world.
1653 H. More Antidote against Atheisme Pref. For it is the same Numen in us that moves all things in some sort or other.
1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 52. ⁋3 Our personal Deformities in some sort by you recorded to all Posterity.
1780 Mirror No. 97 Having seen Paris,..she thinks that she is authorised, and, in some sort, obliged to speak French.
1864 C. Dickens Our Mutual Friend (1865) I. i. vi. 47 She was named after, or in some sort related to, the Abbey at Westminster.
1894 J. T. Fowler in St. Adamnan Vita S. Columbae Introd. 17 The Christian hierarchy..in some sort succeeded to the Druids and the Brehons.
d. in a sort, in some sort or manner (see preceding); occasionally with implication of inefficiency or inadequacy. †Also in sort.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ability > inability > unskilfulness > unskilfully or inadequately [phrase]
in a sort1585
in sort1788
the world > action or operation > manner of action > [phrase] > in this, some, any, etc., way > in some way > with implication of inadequacy
after this, what, etc., sort1551
in a sort1585
after, in, a or some fashion1608
in sort1788
1585 in Eng. Hist. Rev. Jan. (1913) 55 (note) So many reasons..did in a sort work in me a confirmation [etc.].
1592 T. Kyd Spanish Trag. iii. sig. F2 I am in a sorte sorie for thee.
a1620 M. Fotherby Atheomastix (1622) ii. xi. §5. 319 Which carried him vp, in a sorte, into Heauen.
a1648 Ld. Herbert Life (1976) 29 In Lawe also the Iudge is in a sort superior to his King.
1710 R. Steele Tatler No. 14. ⁋2 The Criminal..was always sure he stood before his Country, and in a Sort before a Parent of it.
1788 Pict. Tour thro' Pts. Europe 3 A garden..wherein the enchantments of that of Armida seem in sort to be realized.
1825 W. Scott Jrnl. 6 Dec. (1939) 31 H.M...shoots and fishes in a sort even to this day.
1874 J. S. Blackie On Self-culture 72 Our only chance of becoming great in a sort is by participation in the greatness of the universe.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > existence > non-existence > [adverb] > not > not at all
noughteOE
nothingOE
nonewaysc1225
not a dealc1250
nothing soa1393
no-gatea1400
no-gatesa1400
no waya1400
nowaysa1400
riff no raff?a1400
in (also on, by) no kins way(s) (or wise)c1400
nowisec1425
no whitc1520
none1533
never a dysec1540
vengeance1556
in no sort1561
none ofc1571
nil1581
none1651
nowhat1651
nohow1775
du tout1824
nowt1828
nix1862
nary1895
1561 Bible (Geneva) Heb. ii. 16 He in no sorte toke the Angels, but he toke the seed of Abraham.
1596 W. Lambarde Perambulation of Kent (rev. ed.) 238 They are in no sorte to be hearde, seeing that by no means they may iustly claime any manner of right in that lande.
a1625 King James VI & I Psalmes xxiii. 4 Yea though I through deaths shadow walke, Yet feare I in no sort.
1676 M. Hale Contempl. Moral & Divine i. 5 The consideration of our latter end doth in no sort make our lives the shorter.
1709 J. Swift Let. conc. Sacramental Test 17 These are in no sort of a Number to carry any Point.
1756 C. Lucas Ess. Waters iii. 70 They will in no sort mix.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > [phrase] > in this, some, any, etc., way > in this way > in such a way > that
in such manner1297
in such wise as1390
in sort1548
1548 E. Gest Treat. againste Masse sig. Bviv Gelasius..impugneth the sayd transubstanciation as..uncredyble in sorte as followeth.
1594 R. Carew tr. J. Huarte Exam. Mens Wits vi. 84 To remaine..affixed, in sort as the sparrowes are attached to birdlime.
1605 F. Bacon Of Aduancem. Learning ii. sig. Aaa2 In all causes the first tale possesseth much, in sorte, that the preiudice, thereby wrought will bee hardly remooued. View more context for this quotation
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > completeness > completely [phrase] > altogether, entirely, or completely
bedenec1175
all outc1300
downrightc1330
downrightsc1330
at alla1375
whole together1551
in all sorts1559
right out1578
clear1600
neck and heels1647
to rights1663
head over ears1774
neck and crop1791
fair and square1870
in total1965
1559 in P. F. Tytler Hist. Scotl. (1864) III. 395 Your good mind,..which as it is in all sorts undeserved on my side, so am I the more affected unto you therefor.
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Totalement, totally,..throughly, in all sorts, altogether.
22. after this, what, etc., sort, after a (..) sort, in the preceding senses.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > [phrase] > in this, some, any, etc., way
in (also on, by) this (also what, any, such, etc.) manner (of) wisea1375
nowaysa1400
in this, that, such, (the) like, what, etc., sort1533
in good, honest, etc., sort1548
after a (‥) sort1551
the world > action or operation > manner of action > [phrase] > in this, some, any, etc., way > in some way > with implication of inadequacy
after this, what, etc., sort1551
in a sort1585
after, in, a or some fashion1608
in sort1788
(a)
(b)1551 R. Robinson tr. T. More Vtopia sig. Hiiii But nowe ye houses be curiously builded after a gorgiouse and gallaunt sort.1577 M. Hanmer tr. Bp. Eusebius in Aunc. Eccl. Hist. i. vi. 8 It remayneth that we beginne after a compendious sorte from the comming of our Sauiour Christ in the flesh.1592 T. Tymme Plaine Discouerie Ten Eng. Lepers A iij The generall good..hath moved me, though after a plaine and rude sort, to publish the same.1857 S. Winkworth Life Tauler in Tauler's Serm. 67 The Master..received him after a most friendly sort.a1894 C. Rossetti Venus' Looking-glass in Poems (1904) 289 Around whose head white doves rose..and cooed after their tender sort.(c)1557 Bible (Whittingham) Heb. xi. 19 Death: from whence he receaued him also after a sort.1583 A. Nowell et al. True Rep. Disput. E. Campion sig. Z1 Man is also the offerer, after a sort.1610 P. Holland tr. W. Camden Brit. i. 632 After a sort he surrendred up his crown unto him.1671 H. M. tr. Erasmus Colloquies 7 Not so well as I desire; truly I am well after a sort.1724 A. Collins Disc. Grounds Christian Relig. 153 The first place of Jeremiah was quoted,..and is still extant after a sort.1837 T. Carlyle French Revol. II. ii. ii. 105 Captain Dampmartin;..who loves the Reign of Liberty, after a sort.1879 S. C. Bartlett Egypt to Palestine xii. 267 Into which the hand, with shut fingers, will fit after a sort.1551 R. Robinson tr. T. More Vtopia sig. Diiiv After what sorte hooredome..maye be lawfull.
1569 J. Sanford tr. H. C. Agrippa Of Vanitie Artes & Sci. 15 b After this sorte the Greeke Historiographers..would attribute al thinges to themselves.
1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry ii. f. 57v The orderyng of them is after one sort.
1604 E. Grimeston tr. J. de Acosta Nat. & Morall Hist. Indies iv. iv. 212 They drawe golde in those partes, after three sorts.
a. of this sort, in this way or manner. Scottish. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > [phrase] > in this, some, any, etc., way > in this way
in such manner1297
thus1426
this gate1513
of this sortc1550
on this sort1557
thissena1652
c1550 Complaynt Scotl. (1979) vi. 30 Of this sort i did spaceir vp ande doune but sleipe.
c1550 Complaynt Scotl. (1979) ix. 62 Of this sort god turnit the hazard of fortoune.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > [phrase] > in this, some, any, etc., way > in this way
in such manner1297
thus1426
this gate1513
of this sortc1550
on this sort1557
thissena1652
1557 Earl of Surrey et al. Songes & Sonettes sig. R.iv Happy is he, that liues on such a sort: That nedes not feare such tonges of false report.
1585–6 Reg. Privy Council Scott. 1st Ser. IV. 50 The saidis personis..on sic sorte persewis the saidis complenaris as thay dar not remane at thair awne duelling houssis.
1597 T. Beard Theatre Gods Iudgements i. xxxiii. 186 Permitting him to plague him on this sort, for his amendment.
a1632 T. Taylor God's Judgem. (1642) i. ii. iv. 170 But to come to the fact, it was on this sort.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > the whole or all > that is all or the whole [phrase] > in respect of everything or part > in every respect
through all thingeOE
at all pointsa1375
from point to pointa1393
at all rightsc1405
in high and lowc1405
in generala1413
every incha1450
all in allc1475
at all sorts1612
all round1867
1612 W. Shute tr. T. de Fougasses Gen. Hist. Venice ii. 13 A thousand Archers from Candy, and another thousand armed at all sortes from the Country of Albania.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1913; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
† sortn.3
Obsolete. rare.
Some measure or weight of figs and raisins. By Rogers ( Hist. Agric. & Prices IV. 668–9) considered to be equivalent to three frails.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > fruit and vegetables > fruit or a fruit > dried fruit > [noun] > weight or measure of
sort1438
1438–9 in J. T. Fowler Extracts Acct. Rolls Abbey of Durham (1898) I. 70 It. in 2 Sortez ficuum et racemorum.
1438–9 in J. T. Fowler Extracts Acct. Rolls Abbey of Durham (1898) I. 77 Summa rec., 2 Sortez et 20 lb.
1453–4 in J. T. Fowler Extracts Acct. Rolls Abbey of Durham (1899) II. 289 In 1 soortt ficuum.
1481–90 Howard Househ. Bks. (Roxb.) 351 Item, for a sort of fygges, xij. s.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1913; most recently modified version published online March 2021).
sortn.4
/sɔːt/, U.S. /sɔrt/ Computing.
The action of arranging items of data in a prescribed sequence.
ΘΚΠ
society > computing and information technology > data > database > [noun] > sorting
sort1956
1956 Jrnl. Assoc. Computing Machinery 3 156 Seven passes will effect a complete sort but an eighth pass will be required to collect the items back on to one reel of tape.
1964 C. Dent Quantity Surv. by Computer vi. 79 The effect of this sort..will be to arrange the narrative items under their proper headings.
1973 Computers & Humanities 7 202 We decided to remove the umlauts before performing the sort.
Compounds
Special combinations:
sort key n. a characteristic feature of items of data according to which the data may be arranged.
ΘΚΠ
society > computing and information technology > data > database > [noun] > sorting > basis of
sort key1967
1967 D. G. Hays Introd. Computational Linguistics x. 171 The sort has brought together all the contextual spans with a common sort key. Print the first sort key in some obvious place... Then begin printing the contextual spans with that sort key, one after another.
1969 Computers & Humanities 3 137 Each letter group, plus the word from which it was derived and the frequency of occurrence of that word..is then sorted in alphabetical order using the letter group as the first sortkey and the position of the first letter of each group..as the second sortkey.
sort program n. a program written to perform a sort.
ΘΚΠ
society > computing and information technology > programming language > program or code > [noun] > set of instructions > sort
sort program1963
sort routine1964
1963 Communications ACM 6 266/2 The tape merging program initially determines an optimum number of merge passes for merging the sorted files produced by the sort program.
1973 Computers & Humanities 7 203 The ibm sort program..handled eight fields of character or numerical data.
sort routine n. a routine written to perform a sort.
ΘΚΠ
society > computing and information technology > programming language > program or code > [noun] > set of instructions > sort
sort program1963
sort routine1964
1964 C. Dent Quantity Surv. by Computer vi. 79 If we rearrange the keyword so that the trade and heading numbers occupy the most significant position, a standard sort routine with four decks will sort the blocks into the order specified by the trade number plus the heading number.
1969 Computers & Humanities 3 137 The letter concordance program accepts the keyword output of the concordance program and generates sort records. These are then sorted by a standard sort routine.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1986; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
sortv.1
/sɔːt/, U.S. /sɔrt/ I. Senses relating to allocation or eventuality.† 1. † b. To dispose, ordain, order (events). Also absol. Obsolete. rare.† 2. intransitive. To exercise or perform divination. Obsolete. rare.† 3. transitive. To distribute by lot. Obsolete. rare.† 4. To obtain as one's lot; to share in, partake of. Obsolete. rare.† 5. To arrive at, attain to, result in, or reach (an effect, end, etc.). Cf. sense 7a. Obsolete.† 6. † b. Similarly with out. Obsolete.† c. To come to effect; to be successful. Obsolete.† 7. † b. To end in coming or leading to a specified result. Obsolete.† c. To turn out so as to answer or be agreeable to one's wish, desire, etc. Obsolete.† d. To fall to a person as a right or duty. Obsolete.
a. transitive. To allot, apportion, or assign. Usually const. to, for, or with dative of person. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > giving > distributing or dealing out > distribute or deal out [verb (transitive)] > assign or allot
givec1050
bequeatha1325
ordaina1325
assign1340
sortc1374
sign1389
betakea1400
beteacha1400
remiss1525
allot1534
carve1578
divide1600
to set off1687
c1374 G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde v. 1827 And forth he wente, shortly for to telle, Ther as Mercurie sorted him to dwelle.
1412–20 J. Lydgate tr. Hist. Troy iii. 440 Of our expleit þe trouþe to reporte, For whiche part Mars list þe feld to sorte.
1561 T. Norton & T. Sackville Gorboduc iv. ii What cruell destenie, What frowarde fate hath sorted vs this chaunce?
1583 B. Melbancke Philotimus (new ed.) sig. Kj How many sporting houres were sorted to the Astronomer C. Gallus.
1601 B. Jonson Fountaine of Selfe-love v. v. sig. L4v How well Diana can distinguish Times? And sort her Censures? keeping to her selfe The doome of Gods, leauing the rest to vs? View more context for this quotation
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > necessity > fate or destiny as determining events > predestine or predetermine [verb (transitive)]
shapea1000
dightc1000
besee1297
weirda1300
destinec1300
ordainc1390
ettlea1400
destinyc1400
eure1428
fortunec1430
foreordainc1440
order1532
preordain1533
predefine1542
prefine1545
destinate1548
fore-pointa1557
fore-appoint1561
pre-ordinate1565
foreset1573
forepurpose1581
sort1592
predestinate1593
predetermine1601
pre-appoint1603
forecall1613
fatea1616
predesign1630
predeterminate1637
pre-order1640
predestine1642
ordinate1850
foreordinate1858
preset1926
society > authority > command > command or bidding > command [verb (transitive)] > ordain, prescribe, or appoint
asetc885
teachc897
deemc900
ashapea1000
i-demeOE
setc1000
shiftc1000
stevenOE
redeOE
willOE
lookc1175
showc1175
stablea1300
devise1303
terminea1325
shapec1330
stightlea1375
determinec1384
judgea1387
sign1389
assize1393
statute1397
commanda1400
decree1399
yarka1400
writec1405
decreetc1425
rule1447
stallc1460
constitute1481
assignc1485
institute1485
prescribec1487
constitue1489
destinate1490
to lay down1493
make?a1513
call1523
plant1529
allot1532
stint1533
determ1535
appointa1538
destinec1540
prescrive1552
lot1560
fore-appoint1561
nominate1564
to set down1576
refer1590
sort1592
doom1594
fit1600
dictate1606
determinate1636
inordera1641
state1647
fix1660
direct1816
1592 W. Wyrley Lord Chandos in True Vse Armorie 108 Thus coy fortune sourts, Some now aloft and then cast downe we see.
1597 W. Shakespeare Richard III ii. iii. 36 All may be well: but if God sort it so, Tis more then we deserue or I expect. View more context for this quotation
1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice v. i. 132 But God sort all. View more context for this quotation
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > foresight, foreknowledge > prediction, foretelling > casting of lots, sortilege > divine or decide by casting lots [verb (intransitive)]
to cast lots (also lot)a1275
cavelc1375
to draw lots (also lot)c1425
sorta1500
a1500 (?c1450) Merlin ii. 39 Bringe hethir thy counsell, and the clerkes that sorted of this toure.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > free will > choice or choosing > types of choice > choose in specific way [verb (transitive)] > choose or get by lot
takec1175
sort1513
draw1564
lot1617
ballot1785
the mind > possession > giving > distributing or dealing out > distribute or deal out [verb (transitive)] > divide into parts for which lots are cast > distribute by lot
sort1513
lot1617
1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid iii. viii. 7 We sort our airis, and chesis rowaris ilk deill.
1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis i. 15 Shee..toyls too pioners by drawcut lotterye sorteth.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > sharing > share [verb (transitive)] > have as one's share
sort1474
share1597
1474 W. Caxton tr. Game & Playe of Chesse (1883) iv. ii. 166 Thus as in goynge out first in to .iiii. poynts he sorteth the nature of knyghtes.
1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende 209/2 He hath ronne thrououte alle the world and with his prechyng hath purged it and yet he hath not sorted [L. sortitus est] heuen.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > causation > [verb (transitive)] > end in
to stand to ——OE
turnc1175
end?c1225
to come to ——c1475
sort1548
1548 Hall's Vnion: Edward IV f. ccxiv It was almost incredible to se what effect this new imaginacion..sorted and toke.
1593 G. Peele Famous Chron. King Edward the First sig. E2v When the warre of rebels sorts an end: None might be prince..But such a one as was their countriman.
1612 T. Shelton tr. M. de Cervantes Don Quixote (1620) i. iii. I. xiii. 255 Bidding her to hope firmly, that our good just Desires would sort a wish'd and happy End.
1656 W. Coles Art of Simpling 4 Their Medicines oft-times sort not their wished, but sometimes contrary effects.
a. intransitive. Of events, etc.: To come about, to fall or turn out, in a certain way or with a certain result. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > causation > effect, result, or consequence > result [verb (intransitive)] > turn out
goOE
farec1230
to come to proofc1330
shape1338
afarec1380
achievea1393
falla1398
sort1477
succeed1541
lucka1547
to fall out1556
redound1586
to come off1590
light1612
takea1625
result1626
issue1665
to turn out1731
eventuate1787
to roll out1801
to come away1823
to work out1839
pan1865
1477 W. Caxton tr. R. Le Fèvre Hist. Jason (1913) 152 Sorceries..and..enchantements wherof thauenture of the shippe sorted as sayd is.
1589 R. Greene Ciceronis Amor 70 Promising all shoulde sort according vnto Lentulus minde.
1598 R. Grenewey tr. Tacitus Annales xv. vi. 230 That to the Romans many things had sorted luckily, and some to the Parthians.
1609 T. Dekker Rauens Almanacke sig. F4 Which sorted according to their expectations.
1626 F. Bacon Sylua Syluarum §317 The Experiment sorted in this Manner.
1653 H. Cogan tr. F. M. Pinto Voy. & Adventures xxvii. 106 We had recourse to Mercy, which sorted well for us.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > testing > resolving of problem, solution > find solution, solve [verb (transitive)]
findOE
assoilc1374
soil1382
contrive1393
to find outc1405
resolvea1438
absolvea1525
solute?1531
solve?1541
dissolve1549
get1559
salvec1571
to beat out1577
sort1581
explicate1582
untiea1586
loose1596
unsolve1631
cracka1640
unscruple1647
metagrobolize1653
to puzzle out1717
to work out1719
to get around ——1803
to dope out1906
lick1946
to get out1951
1581 B. Rich Farewell Mil. Profession (1846) 130 Seyng the matter sorted out as she looked for.
a1593 C. Marlowe Edward II (1594) sig. D3 If all things sort out, as I hope they will.
a1637 N. Ferrar tr. J. de Valdés 110 Considerations (1638) 15 Having seen that..my determinations sorted out contrary to that which I determined.
a1656 J. Ussher Ann. World (1658) 158 If things sorted out in this war, as he hoped they would.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > prosperity > success > succeed or be a success [verb (intransitive)]
speedc1175
fayc1300
provec1300
flourishc1400
passc1425
prosper1434
succeedc1450
to take placea1464
to come well to (our) pass1481
shift?1533
hitc1540
walka1556
fadge1573
thrive1587
work1599
to come (good) speedc1600
to go off1608
sort1613
go1699
answer1721
to get along1768
to turn up trumps1785
to come off1854
pan1865
scour1871
arrive1889
to work out1899
to ring the bell1900
to go over1907
click1916
happen1949
1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage I. ii. x. 137 Intending a plague to the men,..if their working had sorted.
1626 F. Bacon Sylua Syluarum §351 It was tried in a Blowne Bladder..and it sorted not.
1626 F. Bacon Sylua Syluarum §380 Which is a thing of great profit, if it would sort: But vpon Triall..there followed no Effect.
a. To come or attain to an end, conclusion, effect, etc. Obsolete. (Common c1575–1650.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > causation > [verb (intransitive)] > cause or come to a state
comeeOE
i-teon975
sort1543
gig1647
the world > action or operation > completing > complete or conclude action [verb (intransitive)] > achieve an end or condition by progress
acomeOE
wina1300
chevec1300
attainc1375
reacha1400
achievec1400
geta1425
sort1543
1543–4 Act 35 Hen. VIII c. 10 Whiche good and profitable purpose can not sorte to conclusion, nor take good effecte, without the ayde..of parliament.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VII f. lvi Ye third request..neuer sorted to any effect or conclusion.
1582 N. Lichefield tr. F. L. de Castanheda 1st Bk. Hist. Discouerie E. Indias i. 16 b Their mischeuous enterprise, which had bene likely to haue..sorted to a sorrowful hap and euent.
1600 Weakest goeth to Wall sig. I3 I will forbeare my knowledge till I see To what effect this cause will sort vnto.
1659 H. Thorndike Wks. (1846) II. 540 If there were nothing to help the tenor of such instruments, things contracted would hardly sort to effect.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > causation > effect, result, or consequence > result [verb (intransitive)] > turn out > in a specific manner
gangOE
provec1300
goc1425
comea1527
succeed1533
sort1592
to come out1842
issue1855
1592 A. Day 2nd Pt. Eng. Secretorie sig. O3, in Eng. Secretorie (rev. ed.) Here is head, wit, minde and discretion, all sorting to one thing.
1598 J. Florio Worlde of Wordes Let..the reapers of the fruites iudge betwixt vs whose paines hath sorted to best perfection.
1620 Horæ Subseciuæ 216 Euery mans own Method commonly sorteth best to his owne profit.
1624 R. Montagu Immediate Addresse 51 Were our desires granted vs,..it would sort vnto our hurt and vtter vndoing.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > causation > effect, result, or consequence > result [verb (intransitive)] > turn out > so as to be agreeable to one
sort?1592
?1592 Trag. Solyman & Perseda ii. i. 238 Gentlemen, each thing hath sorted to our wish.
1606 G. W. tr. Justinus Hist. i. 5 Thinking that..the thing would so come to passe, as..afterward sorted to their desired wish.
1650 T. Vaughan Anthroposophia Theomagica 2 These Indeavours sorting not to my purpose, I quitted this Booke-businesse.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > occurrence > [verb (intransitive)] > fall to one
tide955
comeOE
fallc1225
reboundc1425
redound1460
recoil1577
to fall in a person's path (also road, etc.)1605
sort1622
1622 M. Drayton 2nd Pt. Poly-olbion xxii. 41 To Salsbury it sorts the Palme away to beare.
a1677 I. Barrow Serm. Several Occasions (1678) 405 The Duties which upon that occasion are signified to concern people then, do no less now sort to us.
8. transitive. To answer or correspond to, to befit or suit. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > suitability or appropriateness > suit or be suitable for [verb (transitive)]
suit1431
queemc1540
fita1586
sort1587
suit1600
to level (a person or thing) with (now rare), to, unto1603
to comply with1626
opportunea1634
commodiate1641
commode1655
lend1854
1587 Sir P. Sidney & A. Golding tr. P. de Mornay Trewnesse Christian Relig. Ep. Ded. Well sorting your high place and dignitie.
1603 R. Knolles Gen. Hist. Turkes 360 Which not sorting to his desire, the matter was againe brought to parle.
1615 R. Brathwait Strappado 126 To imitate all formes, shapes, habits, tyres Suting the Court, and sorting his desires.
1882 H. S. Holland Logic & Life (1885) 12 Certain phenomena..which no other name suits or sorts.
II. Senses relating to arranging or placing in order, and related uses.† 14. † b. To choose (a thing or person) from others.
9. absolute.1631 B. Jonson Staple of Newes i. ii. 76 in Wks. II They mannage all at home, and sort, and file, And seale the newes, and issue them.1847 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 8 i. 7 The breed..was left to chance or the management of shepherds, with whom it could not be a matter of interest to sort or improve.† c. To separate or distinguish (from something else). Obsolete. rare.
a. transitive. To arrange (things, etc.) according to kind or quality, or after some settled order or system; to separate and put into different sorts or classes; to classify; to assort.
ΚΠ
c1358 in J. T. Fowler Extracts Acct. Rolls Abbey of Durham (1899) II. 561 Will'o Randman pro pylyng et sortyng lane.
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 465/2 Soortyn, or settyn yn a soorte, sortior.
1482 Rolls of Parl. VI. 221/2 That the Samon shuld be wele and truly pakked and sorted in the same vessells.
1483 Act 1 Rich. III c. 8 Preamble Greate quantite of Wolles..which ben sorted the better from the worse, barbed and clakked.
?1523 J. Fitzherbert Bk. Husbandry f. xliiiv Than sort the trees, the polles by theymselfe, the myddell sorte by themselfe.
1581 R. Mulcaster Positions xxxvii. 155 The maister..is no absolute potentate..to sorte mens children, as he liketh best.
1606 T. Heywood 2nd Pt. If you know not Me sig. D4 Past eight a clock, and neither ware sorted, Nor shop swept.
1684 in 3rd Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS (1872) 427/1 Wee have sorted what papers I could at present find.
1718 Free-thinker No. 11. 1 Letters of every Kind come..which I sort according to their different Complexions.
1766 Philos. Trans. 1765 (Royal Soc.) 55 206 Mr. Rouse..made a machine for sorting woollen thread upon the same principle with this.
1840 F. Marryat Poor Jack xlv. 323 I found her..busy, sorting a lot of old bottles.
1888 F. Hume Madame Midas i. ii. 23 When the office was empty, Slivers would go on sorting the scrip on his table.
b. Const. with adverbs or prepositions, as asunder, in or into (sets or classes, etc.), etc.
ΚΠ
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 725 I sorte a sonder the good from the badde, je esplusche.
1533 T. More Answere Poysened Bk. ii. ix. f. cxli All whyche thynges I wyll sorte into theyr places.
1608 A. Willet Hexapla in Exodum 604 The other two curtains were sorted fiue and sixe together.
1644 J. Milton Areopagitica 12 Those confused seeds which were impos'd on Psyche as an incessant labour to cull out, and sort asunder.
1688 Lett. conc. Present State Italy 99 The People are sorted in several Fraternities.
1885 Manch. Examiner 16 Mar. 5/2 A power of analysis..which would equip a mathematician is requisite to sort the material into order.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > difference > differ from [verb (transitive)] > distinguish or differentiate
to-skillc1175
disguise1340
asunderc1425
differc1450
difference1490
sort1553
distinguish1576
particularize?1593
diversify1594
subdistinguish1610
discriminate1615
severalize1645
specify1645
disresemble1651
estrange1727
discrepate1828
differentialize1833
differentiate1838
dissimilate1876
redifferentiate1970
the mind > attention and judgement > judgement or decision > discernment, discrimination > discern [verb (transitive)] > distinguish, separate
winnowc825
tryc1330
distinguea1340
divide1377
departc1380
devisea1400
sever1426
perceivea1500
deem1530
discern1533
searcec1535
sort1553
to pick outa1555
decern1559
difference1596
distinguisha1616
severalize1645
separate1651
secern1656
run1795
define1807
sequester1841
differentiate1857
divaricate1868
1553 T. Wilson Rule of Reason (new ed.) sig. Riv Wee open the doubtfulnesse..of some woorde or sentence, by makyng a distinccion..and seuerally sortyng soche thinges, as then were thought, to be euill set together.
1587 A. Fleming et al. Holinshed's Chron. (new ed.) III. Contin. 1349/2 I meane so as physicke is now taken separatelie from surgerie, and that part which onelie vseth the hand as it is sorted from the apothecarie.
1600 W. Shakespeare Henry V iv. vii. 72 To sort our Nobles from our common men.
10.
a. To place in a class or sort; to give a place to; to classify. Also const. after, among, as, together.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > social relations > association, fellowship, or companionship > associate together or with [verb (intransitive)]
mingc1275
company1387
joinc1390
meddlec1390
herd?a1400
fellowshipc1430
enfellowship1470
to step in1474
accompany?1490
yoke?a1513
to keep with ——c1515
conjoin1532
wag1550
frequent1577
encroach1579
consort1588
sort1595
commerce1596
troop1597
converse1598
to keep (also enter, come into, etc.) commons1598
to enter common1604
atone1611
to walk (also travel) in the way with1611
minglea1616
consociate1638
associate1644
corrive1647
co-unite1650
walk1650
cohere1651
engage1657
mix1667
accustom1670
to make one1711
coalite1735
commerciate1740
to have nothing to say to (also with)1780
gang?1791
companion1792
mess1795
matea1832
comrade1865
to go around1904
to throw in with1906
to get down1975
1486 Bk. St. Albans, Hawking d iij Thay [bells] be passing goode, for thay be wele sortid, well sownded.
1523 J. Skelton Goodly Garlande of Laurell 1280 Why shulde she take shame That her goodly name..Shulde be set and sortyd, To be matriculate With ladyes of astate?
1581 R. Mulcaster Positions xxxvi. 134 That wittes well sorted be most ciuill.
1595 W. S. Lamentable Trag. Locrine i. i. 136 If thou follow sacred virtue's lore Thou shalt be..Sorted among the glorious happy ones.
1613 G. Chapman Memorable Maske Inns of Court sig. A1v After them were sorted two Carrs Triumphall.
1626 F. Bacon Sylua Syluarum §340 Mosse..may be better sorted as a Rudiment of Germination.
1683 J. Tillotson in I. Barrow Wks. I. To Rdr. sig. A4 The eight following Sermons are likewise sorted together.
1768 A. Tucker Light of Nature Pursued I. i. 327 Sorting them together in a manner not done before.
b. Const. with.
ΚΠ
1599 J. Davies Nosce Teipsum 13 When she sorts things present with things past.
1607 R. Parker Scholasticall Disc. against Antichrist i. i. 50 The Crosse sorteth vs with the Papists, as much as the Garland sorted the Christians with the Pagans.
1669 S. Sturmy Mariners Mag. vii. iv. 8 This Dial..should be sorted rather with the Æquinoctial Dials, than with the Horizontal.
1703 W. Burkitt Expos. Notes New Test. Mark xv. 37 It had been a sufficient Disparagement to our Blessed Saviour, to have been sorted with the best of Men.
1876 ‘G. Eliot’ Daniel Deronda I. i. i. 5 A bony, yellow, crab-like hand.., a hand easy to sort with the square, gaunt face.
11.
a. With out. To take out, remove, or separate (certain sorts from others).
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > occurrence > [verb (intransitive)]
becomec888
i-tidec888
falleOE
ywortheOE
i-limp975
belimpOE
i-timeOE
worthOE
tidea1131
goa1200
arearc1275
syec1275
betide1297
fere1297
risea1350
to come aboutc1350
overcomea1382
passa1393
comea1400
to come in (also to, on, etc.) placea1400
eschew?a1400
chevec1400
shapec1400
hold1462
to come (also go) to pass1481
proceed?1518
occura1522
bechance1527
overpass1530
sorta1535
succeed1537
adventurec1540
to fall toc1540
success1545
to fall forth1569
fadge1573
beword?1577
to fall in1578
happen1580
event1590
arrive1600
offer1601
grow1614
fudge1615
incur1626
evene1654
obvene1654
to take place1770
transpire1775
to go on1873
to show up1879
materialize1885
break1914
cook1932
to go down1946
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > separation > separate [verb (transitive)] > separate from main body
skillc1175
to tell outc1325
shillc1440
sequestrate1513
sorta1535
shoal1571
segregate1579
dismember1580
single1582
scatter1588
disgregate1593
recond1608
sepone1619
sequester1625
canton1653
to cantonize outa1670
portion1777
to set off1795
to comb out1854
distinguish1866
split1924
hive off1931
section1960
separate1962
the mind > will > free will > choice or choosing > types of choice > choose in specific way [verb (transitive)] > select from a number or for a purpose
markOE
to choose out1297
out-trya1325
cullc1330
welec1330
try1340
walea1350
coil1399
drawa1400
to mark outa1450
electa1513
sorta1535
prick1536
exempta1538
select1567
sort1597
to gather out1611
single1629
delibate1660
to cut out1667
outlooka1687
draught1714
draft1724
to tell off1727
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > separation > action of dividing or divided condition > divide [verb (transitive)] > into smaller parts
sorta1535
a1535 T. More Dialoge of Comfort (1553) ii. viii. sig. G.iiii The other kynde is this which I rehersed second, & sortyng out the other twayne, haue kept it for ye laste.
1601 A. Dent Plaine Mans Path-way to Heauen 287 Thirdly let there be refused and sorted out, all hypocrites..and cold Christians.
1728 E. Chambers Cycl. at Herring These are cured with Salt upon Salt, and are carefully sorted out.
1790 E. Burke Refl. Revol. in France 187 They will sort out the good from the evil. View more context for this quotation
1868 W. Lockyer & J. N. Lockyer tr. A. Guillemin Heavens (ed. 3) 393 There has not yet been time to sort out the real from the apparent nebulæ.
b. To choose or select in this way. Now rare or Obsolete.
ΚΠ
1553 J. Bale Vocacyon in Harl. Misc. (Malh.) I. 330 God sorted me out, and appointed me from my mothers wombe.
a1568 R. Ascham in A. Fleming Panoplie Epist. (1576) 441 You shall viewe..comely shapes,..suche as be chosen, picked, and sorted out for the nonce.
1606 J. Day Ile of Guls sig. D2 Sort out but fit time and opportunitie.
1818 W. Scott Heart of Mid-Lothian ix, in Tales of my Landlord 2nd Ser. II. 226 Few folk but mysel could hae sorted ye out a seat like this.
c. To divide or separate into smaller parts, etc. Obsolete. rare.
ΚΠ
1546 J. Bale Actes Eng. Votaryes: 1st Pt. f. 9v For of [= by] them..were the Jles of the Gentyles sorted oute into regyons.
c1582 T. Digges in Archaeol. XI. 230 That waste vnder the castle, which beinge sorted out into convenient streetes [etc.].
d. To arrange according to sort.
ΚΠ
1713 J. Addison in Guardian 29 July 1/2 Her Faculties are employed in Shuffling, Cutting, Dealing and Sorting out a Pack of Cards.
1852 H. B. Stowe Uncle Tom's Cabin I. xii. 180 The other lady, sorting out some worsteds on her lap.
1862 H. Spencer First Princ. ii. xv. §125. 425 The waves are ever sorting-out and separating the mixed materials against which they break.
e. To reprimand (a person); to deal with (a person) by means of force, repression, etc. colloquial.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disapproval > rebuke or reproof > rebuke or reprove [verb (transitive)]
threac897
threapc897
begripea1000
threata1000
castea1200
chaste?c1225
takec1275
blame1297
chastya1300
sniba1300
withnima1315
undernima1325
rebukec1330
snuba1340
withtakea1340
reprovec1350
chastisea1375
arate1377
challenge1377
undertake1377
reprehenda1382
repreync1390
runta1398
snapea1400
underfoc1400
to call to account1434
to put downc1440
snebc1440
uptakec1440
correptc1449
reformc1450
reprise?c1450
to tell (a person) his (also her, etc.) own1450
control1451
redarguec1475
berisp1481
to hit (cross) one over (of, on) the thumbs1522
checkc1530
admonish1541
nip1548
twig?1550
impreve1552
lesson1555
to take down1562
to haul (a person) over the coals1565
increpate1570
touch1570
school1573
to gather up1577
task1580
redarguate?1590
expostulate1592
tutor1599
sauce1601
snip1601
sneap1611
to take in tax1635
to sharp up1647
round1653
threapen1671
reprimand1681
to take to task1682
document1690
chapter1693
repulse1746
twink1747
to speak to ——1753
haul1795
to pull up1799
carpet1840
rig1841
to talk to1860
to take (a person) to the woodshed1882
rawhide1895
to tell off1897
to tell (someone) where he or she gets off1900
to get on ——1904
to put (a person) in (also into) his, her place1908
strafe1915
tick1915
woodshed1935
to slap (a person) down1938
sort1941
bind1942
bottle1946
mat1948
ream1950
zap1961
elder1967
1941 S. J. Baker Pop. Dict. Austral. Slang 69 Sort someone out, to, to reprove a person, put him in his place.
1943 J. L. Hunt & A. G. Pringle Service Slang 61 To pick a quarrel and use force is to ‘sort out’ someone.
1958 J. Blackburn Scent New-mown Hay ii. 24 Get this fellow Kirk sorted out and don't overdo it.
1965 P. Arrowsmith Jericho ix. 92 Let's all go down and sort out that peace pickets' camp.
1974 Times 25 Feb. 10/7 Richards came in to sort Willis out and, although Willis prevailed in the end, it was not before Richards had hit him several times for four.
f. To separate out and resolve the complexities of (a problem); to clear up (a confusion or difficulty); to put to rights, deal with. Also, with a person as object: to solve the problems of (someone), ‘put (him) straight’. Also reflexive.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > amending > put right [verb (transitive)]
helpc950
amendc1230
bootc1330
correctc1374
menda1375
recovera1398
dighta1400
restorea1400
redressa1402
recurec1425
remedyc1425
remeidc1480
emendc1485
richa1500
rightena1500
chastisea1513
rectifya1529
redeem1575
salve1575
remed1590
reclaim1593
renew1608
retrieve1625
recruit1673
raccommode1754
splice1803
doctor1829
remediate1837
right-side1847
sort1948
the world > action or operation > easiness > find no difficulty in [verb (transitive)] > make easy or easier > resolve (difficulties)
smooth1611
smootha1616
to iron out1880
sort1948
1948 ‘N. Shute’ No Highway v. 128 Will you see if you can get that one sorted out?
1954 J. Masters Bhowani Junction vi. 51 If I send a message, sort it out between Macaulay and that depilated Sikh assistant of Taylor's.
1962 Woman's Own 15 Sept. 69/2 Perhaps you haven't yet decided, assuming this is something which will sort itself out when the time comes.
1963 A. Ross Australia 63 17 The two Perth matches..allow the visiting side to sort themselves out.
1963 J. T. Story Something for Nothing i. 20 ‘Shouldn't you get an accountant to sort it out?’ ‘Do me a favour,’ Albert said. ‘It was getting an accountant that got me into all this.’
1973 M. Amis Rachel Papers 46 No, don't tell me she's the very girl to show me what egotistical folly it is to compartmentalize people in this sad way; don't tell me she's going to sort me out, take me on, supply the cognitio and comic resolution.
12. reflexive.
a. To form sets or groups by some process of combination or separation.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > state of being gathered together > gather together [verb (reflexive)] > form sets or groups
sort1576
1576 W. Lambarde Perambulation of Kent 299 A Torneament.., in which the English men, of a set purpose..sorted them selues against the strangers.
1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World II. 238 For the most part they sort themselues by couples like man and wife.
1702 R. L'Estrange tr. Josephus Jewish Antiq. ii. v, in Wks. 34 They had their times of talking and sorting themselves together.
1726 D. Defoe Polit. Hist. Devil i. x. 146 After the Confusion of Languages, the People necessarily sorted themselves into Families and Tribes.
1770 H. Brooke Fool of Quality V. xvii. 18 The crowd had sorted themselves, the principals..into one group, the young men into another, and the fair maidens into another.
1925 E. F. Norton in E. F. Norton et al. Fight for Everest: 1924 51 Nearly 300 yak-loads of provision boxes, rolls of bedding and stores of all sorts, dumped higgledy-piggledy off the yaks, began to sort themselves into orderly lines and piles.
b. To associate or consort with another or others. (Cf. 19.) Also with among(st). Now dialect (frequently in 17th cent.).
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > social relations > association, fellowship, or companionship > associate with [verb (reflexive)]
join13..
fellowshipa1382
adjoin1533
to put together1556
piece1579
sort1579
mixture1582
troopa1592
consort1597
identify1718
associate1881
1579 L. Tomson tr. J. Calvin Serm. Epist. S. Paule to Timothie & Titus 1051/1 We see that S. Pauls meaning was by this word Common faith, to sort himself quietly with the rest.
1592 R. Cosin Conspiracie for Pretended Reformation 1 They..willingly sorted themselues in familiaritie with such.
1642 D. Rogers Naaman 36 Shall I..sort my selfe with such as are enemies?
1691 A. Wood Athenæ Oxonienses I. 23 He found out Will. Tyndale in Germany, with whom for a time he sorted himself.
a1713 T. Ellwood Hist. Life (1714) 7 I always sorted myself with Persons of Ingenuity, Temperance, and Sobriety.
1877 E. Peacock Gloss. Words Manley & Corringham, Lincs.
13. † b. To bring to an end, effect, etc. Obsolete.
a. To adapt, to fit, to make conformable to or with some thing or person. Now rare or Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > adaptation or adjustment > adapt or adjust [verb (transitive)] > adapt or adjust to
attemper1393
temper1530
sort1561
accommodate1579
square1583
commodate1611
contemperate1656
gear1900
(a)
(b)1607 T. Dekker & J. Webster Famous Hist. Thomas Wyat sig. D2v My lookes (my loue) is sorted with my heart.a1616 W. Shakespeare Two Gentlemen of Verona (1623) i. iii. 63 My will is something sorted with his wish. View more context for this quotation1640 tr. G. S. du Verdier Love & Armes Greeke Princes ii. 167 If I were at any time to bow unto the affection of a mortall wight, I should never chuse any other to sort my greatnesse withall.1561 in P. F. Tytler Hist. Scotl. (1864) III. 147 In sorting your entertainment to every person.
1595 Blanchardine & Eglantine 216 It hath pleased God to sorte our haps to our harts contentments.
1619 W. Sclater Expos. 1 Thess. (1629) 509 Gods precepts..must be sorted to their seasons.
1822 H. Ainslie Pilgrimage to Land of Burns 235 My auld crazy voice is better sorted to hammeart lilts than sic fine springs.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > causation > [verb (transitive)] > bring to a particular effect or end
workeOE
sort1591
1591 Troublesome Raigne Iohn i. sig. D3 Now euery thing is sorted to this end, Lets in.
1597 Certain Prayers in W. K. Clay Liturg. Services Q. Eliz. (1847) 677 Lord,..who by thy mighty power sortest to what effect thou wilt the counsels and actions of all men.
1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. iii. 117 The diuine Maiestie doth swey the moments of things, and sorteth them in peremptory manner to..vnlooked for effects.
a. To choose or select (time, opportunity, etc.) as fitting or suitable. Obsolete.Frequently passing into the sense of ‘to arrange, contrive, find, etc.’
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > provide occasion or opportunity [verb (transitive)] > take an opportunity
findOE
employ?1473
sort1592
win1821
the mind > will > intention > planning > plan [verb (transitive)] > arrange > appoint a time or place beforehand
prefix1415
prefine1545
tryst1586
sort1592
settle1596
1592 T. Kyd Spanish Trag. iv. sig. K4v They had sorted leasure, To take aduantage..Vpon my Sonne.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 1 (1623) ii. iii. 26 Ile sort some other time to visit you. View more context for this quotation
1624 T. Heywood Γυναικεῖον iv. 193 The young man's father, who sorted opportunitie to talke with his sonne.
1634 T. Heywood & R. Brome Late Lancashire Witches ii. sig. D2 What times hath she sorted for these journeyes?
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > free will > choice or choosing > types of choice > choose in specific way [verb (transitive)] > select from a number or for a purpose
markOE
to choose out1297
out-trya1325
cullc1330
welec1330
try1340
walea1350
coil1399
drawa1400
to mark outa1450
electa1513
sorta1535
prick1536
exempta1538
select1567
sort1597
to gather out1611
single1629
delibate1660
to cut out1667
outlooka1687
draught1714
draft1724
to tell off1727
1597 W. Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet iv. ii. 34 To sort such things as shall be requisite Against to morrow. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Two Gentlemen of Verona (1623) iii. ii. 91 Let vs into the City presently To sort some Gentlemen, well skil'd in Musicke. View more context for this quotation
1639 J. Ford Ladies Triall i. sig. B3 Ere now You might have sorted me in your resolves, Companion of your fortunes.
15. To furnish, provide, or supply (a person, etc.) with (or of) something. In later use only Scottish.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > supply > provide or supply (something) [verb (transitive)] > provide or supply (a person or thing) with anything
feather?c1225
serve?c1225
astore1297
purveya1325
purveyc1325
warnishc1330
supply1384
bego1393
garnish?a1400
stuff14..
instore1432
relievec1480
providec1485
appurvey1487
support?1507
furnishc1515
repair1518
supply1529
speed1531
help (a person) to (also with)1569
sort1598
suffice1600
enduea1616
starta1640
employ1690
find1713
to fix out1725
issue1737
service1969
1598 R. Barret Theorike & Pract. Mod. Warres i. 4 The strength of the Battaile is the armed Pike, so they be equally sorted with Harquebuze and Musket.
1598 R. Barret Theorike & Pract. Mod. Warres ii. i. 26 How would you haue a Companie sorted with weapons?
c1600 J. Dymmok Treat. Ireland (1842) 14 It is well sorted with woodes and playnes.
1774 C. Keith Farmer's Ha' xxvii He tells them he's weel sorted now Of a' thing gude, and cheap, and new.
1825 J. Jamieson Etymol. Dict. Sc. Lang. Suppl. (at cited word) I can sort ye wi' a knife.
1898 E. W. Hamilton Mawkin of Flow xv. 200 I warrant we'll sort you with another, and as good a yin too.
16.
a. Scottish and northern in (a) to (d) and b; colloquial in (e). (Also with up.) To arrange or put in order; to put to rights in some respect. The leading variations of sense are more fully illustrated in the Eng. Dial. Dict.absolute.1891 N. Dickson Kirk Beadle 109 The preacher returned to the church and found the beadle busy ‘sorting up’.
(a)
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > put in (proper) order [verb (transitive)] > put in order or set to rights
rightOE
to set to rights1668
sort1827
to set on or upon the square1846
1827 T. Carlyle tr. J. W. von Goethe Wilhelm Meister's Trav. in German Romance IV. 45 Mine host has already in my presence begun sorting the apartment as if I were gone.
1833 J. C. Loudon Encycl. Cottage Archit. §81 The whole [roofing] to be laid with a sufficient lap, and to be carefully sorted in courses (laid so as that the joints may form regular lines).
1876 F. K. Robinson Gloss. Words Whitby ‘Get all your things soorted up,’ collected together.
(b)
ΚΠ
1816 W. Scott Antiquary III. xiv. 311 The provost's gar'd the beacon light on the Halket-head be sorted up (that suld hae been sorted half a year syne).
1876 S. R. Whitehead Daft Davie 121 The wick needed sorting, and the oil was low.
1877 G. Fraser Wigtown 62 Belsher..was once engaged sorting the lock of a cell in the Prison.
(c)
ΚΠ
1816 W. Scott Antiquary I. xv. 325 The poney hasna gane abune thirty mile the day—Jock was sorting him up as I came ower by.
1816 W. Scott Old Mortality viii, in Tales of my Landlord 1st Ser. IV. 167 ‘Ye may rely on your naig being weel sorted,’ said Cuddie; ‘I ken weel what belongs to suppering a horse.’
1868 F. P. Verney Stone Edge vii Lydia was out in the farmyard ‘sorting’ the cows herself.
(d)
ΚΠ
1817 Lintoun Green in R. Brown Comic Poems Errata 166 Nor he is here tae sort me right.
1866 D. M. Mulock Noble Life iv. 61 She lifted up the poor child, tenderly and carefully—shook his pillows and ‘sorted’ him.
1890 H. Nisbet Bail Up! xxviii Let me sort you up a little.
(e)
ΚΠ
1950 ‘D. Divine’ King of Fassarai x. 82 Take her along to Sergeant Marker. Let him sort it.
1975 M. Bradbury Hist. Man xiii. 220 ‘Tomorrow will sort itself, Barbara,’ says Felicity, ‘you'll manage.’
1976 L. Henderson Major Enq. ix. 57 They're the boys to get it sorted, all young, keen, and raring to go.
b. To deal effectively with (a person) by way of punishment, repression, etc.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > [verb (transitive)]
threac897
tighta1000
beswinkc1175
punisha1325
chastise1362
paina1375
justifya1393
wage1412
reformc1450
chasten1526
thwart over thumba1529
chastifyc1540
amerce?1577
follow1579
to rap (a person) on the knuckles (also fingers)1584
finea1616
mulcta1620
fita1625
vindicate1632
trounce1657
reward1714
tawse1790
sort1815
to let (a person) have it1823
visit1836
to catch or get Jesse1839
to give, get goss1840
to have ita1848
to take (a person) to the woodshed1882
to give (one) snuff1890
soak1892
give1906
to weigh off1925
to tear down1938
zap1961
slap1968
society > authority > subjection > subjecting or subjugation > subject [verb (transitive)] > suppress, repress, or put down
nithereOE
adweschOE
overtreadOE
quellOE
to trample or tread under foot (also feet)c1175
adauntc1325
to bear downc1330
oppressc1380
repressc1391
overyoke?a1425
quencha1425
to bear overc1425
supprisec1440
overquell?c1450
farec1460
supprime1490
downbeara1500
stanch1513
undertread1525
downtread1536
suppress1537
to set one's foot on the neck of1557
depress?a1562
overbear1565
surpress1573
trample1583
repose1663
spiflicate1749
sort1815
to trample down1853
to sit on ——1915
to clamp down1924
crack down1940
tamp1959
1815 W. Scott Guy Mannering II. 190 Bid them bring up the prisoner—I trow I will sort him.
1835– in Sc. and north dial. glossaries and texts.
1878 ‘A. R. Hope’ My Schoolboy Friends 265 ‘I will sort this Ghost,’ said Kennedy.
17. In commercial use: To bring up to the usual stock or quantity.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > completeness > make complete [verb (transitive)] > complete, fill up, or make up > by supplying what is wanting
performa1382
supplyc1480
upmake1485
to make up1488
mend?a1505
to stop, to fill (in or up), to supply a gap?1523
to eke out1596
help out (also through)1600
size1608
echea1616
inch out1620
to eke up1633
supplete1664
lengthen1670
supplement1749
to husband out1762
sort1880
piecenc1900
1880 Daily News 15 Nov. 3/5 The orders..are merely to enable them to sort up sizes.
III. Senses relating to harmony or agreement.
18. † b. Without const. To be fitting; to accord; to be in place, to exist. Obsolete.
a. intransitive. To suit, fit, or agree; to be in harmony or conformity. Const. with, †to, or †together. Now archaic.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > agree/be in harmony/be congruous [verb (intransitive)]
accord1340
cord1340
concordc1374
agree1447
to stand togetherc1449
rhyme?a1475
commonc1475
gree?a1513
correspond1529
consent1540
cotton1567
pan1572
reciprocate1574
concur1576
meet1579
suit1589
sorta1592
condog1592
square1592
fit1594
congrue1600
sympathize1601
symbolize1605
to go even1607
coherea1616
congreea1616
hita1616
piece1622
to fall in1626
harmonize1629
consist1638
comply1645
shadow1648
quare1651
atonea1657
symphonize1661
syncretize1675
chime1690
jibe1813
consone1873
(a)
(b)a1592 R. Greene Hist. Orlando Furioso (1594) sig. Biv Mine Embleme sorteth to another sense.1604 Bp. W. Barlow Summe Conf. at Hampton Court 27 They appeared before his Maiestie, in Turky gownes, not in their Scholastical habites, sorting to their degrees.1651 ‘A. B.’ tr. L. Lessius Sir Walter Rawleigh's Ghost Pref. A careless and pleasurable life, best sorting to our own desires and sensuality.1709 D. Manley Secret Mem. (ed. 2) II. 211 Yet sorting to his Humour, we will not ask thee to give him too diffusive a brightness.(c)1600 P. Holland tr. Livy Rom. Hist. xliv. xxiv. 1185 A free citie and a King were,..by nature, enemies that possibly could not sort together.1641 J. Milton Of Reformation 73 Wee see that our Ecclesiall, and Politicall choyses may consent and sort as well together..as Christians, and Freeholders.1600 W. Shakespeare Midsummer Night's Dream v. i. 55 That is some Satire keene and criticall, Not sorting with a nuptiall ceremony. View more context for this quotation
1600 W. Shakespeare Henry V iv. i. 64 Pist. My name is Pistoll. Kin. It sorts well with your fiercenesse.
1610 W. Folkingham Feudigraphia i. x. 33 Dry Marle sortes with moist Soiles.
a1652 R. Brome Queenes Exchange (1657) i. i. sig. Bv/2 Their Petulances sort not with this place.
1699 Pepys in Diary & Corr. (1879) VI. 215 Of which book it would greatly sort with my Collection that I had a copy.
1711 A. Pope Ess. Crit. 20 For diff'rent Styles with diff'rent Subjects sort.
1780 W. Cowper Progress of Error 446 The text that sorts not with his darling whim, Though plain to others, is obscure to him.
1838 J. C. Hare & A. W. Hare Guesses at Truth (ed. 2) 1st Ser. 5 The vastness and awfulness of a mere sea-view would ill sort with the other parts of the..prospect.
1858 H. Bushnell Nature & Supernatural xi. 333 The miracles sort with the person of Christ and his mission.
1891 R. W. Church Oxf. Movement xi. 178 However ill it might sort with the current language of Protestant controversy.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > advantage > expediency > be expedient or advisable [verb (intransitive)] > be suitable, opportune, or convenient
suit1589
sort1595
the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > suitability or appropriateness > be suitable, appropriate, or suit [verb (intransitive)] > be fitting or proper
i-burec1000
shallc1000
belongOE
becomec1175
fallc1175
beliea1225
ferea1300
longc1350
beseemc1384
pertainc1384
it is worthy thata1398
accordc1400
foldc1400
affeir1415
fit1574
suit?1591
sort1595
1595 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 3 ii. i. 209 The Queene is comming with a puissant power... War. Why then it sorts braue Lordes. Lets march away.
1609 W. Shakespeare Troilus & Cressida i. i. 106 Æne. Wherefore not a field. Troy. Because not there; this womans answer sorts, For womanish it is to be from thence. View more context for this quotation
1633 J. Ford Broken Heart i. i. sig. B2 Some one, he is assur'd, may now or then (If opportunity but sort) preuaile.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost viii. 384 Among unequals what societie Can sort, what harmonie or true delight? View more context for this quotation
c. Scottish. To come to an agreement or settlement; to come to terms (on something).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > agreement > make an agreement [verb (intransitive)]
accord?a1160
to make (a) finec1325
covenantc1330
compound1419
packc1450
patisec1475
conclude1477
compone1478
bargain1483
article1526
make1530
compact1535
to dispense with1569
temporize1579
to make termsa1599
to strike (a person) luck1599
to be compromised1600
compacka1618
stipulatea1648
to come to terms1657
sort1685
paction1725
to cry off1775
pact1904
1685 Peden in Walker Life (1827) 95 If ye be pleased with the Wares,..he and ye will soon sort on the Price.
1814 W. Scott Waverley I. xviii. 280 I cannot tell you precisely how they sorted; but they agreed so well that [etc.] . View more context for this quotation
19. To associate, consort, go in company with others or together. (Cf. sense 12b.) Also with among and without const. Now rare or dialect.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > social relations > association, fellowship, or companionship > associate with [verb (transitive)]
seeOE
drawc1275
mella1300
meeta1325
fellow1340
usec1384
conjoinc1386
joinc1390
knitc1400
accompany1461
enfellowship1470
frequent1477
haunt1477
mixa1513
encompanya1533
combinea1535
contract1548
to take with ——1562
associate1581
to have a saying toa1593
cope1594
sort1594
to take in1597
consort1600
herd1606
factionate1611
to keep company (with)a1616
accost1633
solder1641
converse1649
walk1650
consociate1653
coalite1734
to get with ——a1772
forgather1786
unionize1810
to go rounda1867
to mix in1870
cop1940
(a)
in extended use.1695 J. Woodward Ess. Nat. Hist. Earth 174 Nor do Metalls only sort and herd with Metalls in the Earth.(b)1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World I. 233 That willingly these little creatures will not sort together vnlesse they were countrimen as it were.1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World I. 278 What fowles soeuer haue crooked clawes sort not together in flocks.1672 J. Eachard Mr. Hobbs's State Nature Considered 59 Men are apt to sort, to herd.1720 D. Manley Secret Mem. (ed. 6) II. 253 Thus adorn'd,..what genteel..Company, would suffer him to sort among them?1827 W. Tennant Papistry Storm'd 77 He did dislike baith Pape and Deil; (Thir twa thegither sortit weil).1594 W. Shakespeare Venus & Adonis (new ed.) sig. Eiij Sometime he runnes among a flocke of sheep.., And sometime sorteth with a heard of deare.
1612 F. Bacon Ess. (new ed.) 30 The illiberality of Parents..towards their children..makes them sort with meane companie.
1684 Bp. G. Burnet tr. T. More Utopia 45 If I should sort with another kind of Ministers.
1720 D. Defoe Life Capt. Singleton 223 He went over to Captain Avery, and sorted with his People.
1785 W. Cowper Tirocinium in Task 114 Too careless often as our years proceed, What friends we sort with, or what books we read. View more context for this quotation
1805–6 H. F. Cary tr. Dante Inferno xv. 120 A company, with whom I may not sort, Approaches.
1888 F. T. Elworthy W. Somerset Word-bk. (at cited word) I never don't try vor to sort wi' my betters.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1913; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
† sortv.2
Scottish. Obsolete.
intransitive. To sally out; to make a sortie.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > attack > action or state of siege or blockade > lay siege [verb (intransitive)] > sally
to fall out1535
breakc1540
sally1560
sail1583
sorta1600
sortie1899
a1600 Hist. Jas. Sext (Bannatyne Club) 25 Thay sortit from Hammilton upon the 13 day of Maij to pas towart Dumbartan.
a1600 Hist. Jas. Sext (Bannatyne Club) 98 The same was so notifeit to the people of Edinburgh, that thair horsemen sortit.
a1605 R. Bannatyne Jrnl. Trans. Scotl. (1806) 248 They of Edinburgh cvme furth hors and fute..; and they of Leyth also sorted.
1608 T. Hudson tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Ivdith vi. 93 in J. Sylvester Deuine Weekes & Wks. (new ed.) The warriours strong, That kept the towne, now sorted forth in throng.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1913; most recently modified version published online March 2021).
<
n.1a1325
n.2c1380n.31438
n.41956v.1c1358v.2a1600