n.
Pronunciation: ' so ̇ rt
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, fate, lot, characteristic, from Latin sort-, sors lot, share, category ― more at SERIES
Date: 14th century
1 a : a group set up on the basis of any characteristic in common : CLASS , KIND b : one approximating the character or qualities of another <a sort of latter-day Abe Lincoln> c : PERSON , INDIVIDUAL <he's not a bad sort >
2 archaic : GROUP , COMPANY
3 a archaic : method or manner of acting : WAY , MANNER b : CHARACTER , NATURE <people of an evil sort >
4 a : a letter or character that is one element of a font b : a character or piece of type that is not part of a regular font
5 : an instance of sorting <a numeric sort of a data file>
synonyms see TYPE
– after a sort : in a rough or haphazard way <plays the piano, after a sort >
– all sorts of : many different : all kinds of <knows all sorts of people>
– of sorts or of a sort : in some respects but not entirely or truly <a vacation of sorts >
– out of sorts
1 : somewhat ill
2 : GROUCHY , IRRITABLE