Main Entry: ¹sort

Pronunciation: \ˈsȯrt\

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