[sort] n [ME, fr. MF sorte, prob. fr. ML sort-, sors, fr. L, chance, lot--more at series] (14c) 1 a: a group set up on the basis of any characteristic in common: class, kind b: an instance of a kind "a ~ of black Paul Bunyan, towering
6. (feet)
10. (inches)c: person, individual "he's not a bad ~"
2. archaic: group, company 3 a: method or manner of acting: way, manner b: character, nature "people of an evil ~"
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 ~ of a data file" syn see type -- after a sort : in a rough or haphazard way -- of sorts or of a sort : of an inconsequential or mediocre quality "a poet of sorts" -- out of sorts 1: somewhat ill
2: grouchy, irritable
[2]sort vt (14c) 1 a: to put in a certain place or rank according to kind, class, or nature "~ apples" "~ mail" b: to arrange according to characteristics: classify "~ out colors"
2. chiefly Scot: to put to rights: put in order 3 a: to examine in order to clarify "~ing out his problems" b: to free of confusion: clarify "waited until things ~ed themselves out" ~ vi 1: to join or associate with others esp. of the same kind "~ with thieves"
2: suit, agree -- sort.able adj -- sort.er n