Chapter Sors to Soul of S by Webster's Dictionary (1913 Edition)

of lot) sometimes carries with it a slight tone of disparagement or contempt, as when we say, that sort of people, that sort of language.

As when the total kind
Of birds, in orderly array on wing,
Came summoned over Eden to receive
Their names of there.

Milton.

None of noble sort
Would so offend a virgin.

Shak.

Sort
(Sort) v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sorted; p. pr. & vb. n. Sorting.]

1. To separate, and place in distinct classes or divisions, as things having different qualities; as, to sort cloths according to their colors; to sort wool or thread according to its fineness.

Rays which differ in refrangibility may be parted and sorted from one another.

Sir I. Newton.

2. To reduce to order from a confused state. Hooker.

3. To conjoin; to put together in distribution; to class.

Shellfish have been, by some of the ancients, compared and sorted with insects.

Bacon.

She sorts things present with things past.

Sir J. Davies.

4. To choose from a number; to select; to cull.

That he may sort out a worthy spouse.

Chapman.

I'll sort some other time to visit you.

Shak.

5. To conform; to adapt; to accommodate. [R.]

I pray thee, sort thy heart to patience.

Shak.

Sort
(Sort), v. i.

1. To join or associate with others, esp. with others of the same kind or species; to agree.

Nor do metals only sort and herd with metals in the earth, and minerals with minerals.

Woodward.

The illiberality of parents towards children makes them base, and sort with any company.

Bacon.

2. To suit; to fit; to be in accord; to harmonize.

They are happy whose natures sort with their vocations.

Bacon.

Things sort not to my will.

herbert.

I can not tell you precisely how they sorted.

Sir W. Scott.

Sortable
(Sort"a*ble) a. [Cf. F. sortable suitable.]

1. Capable of being sorted.

2. Suitable; befitting; proper. [Obs.] con.

Sortably
(Sort"a*bly), adv. Suitable. [Obs.] otgrave.

Sortal
(Sort"al) a. Pertaining to a sort. [Obs.] Locke.