Also 5 soortyn, 5–7 sorte, 6 sourt, 9 dial. soort, etc. [Partly ad. L. sortīrī to divide or obtain by lot, or OF. sortir (mod.F. sortir, = It. sortire, Pg. sortir; cf. Pg. and Sp. sortear):—pop. L. *sortīre, f. L. sors, sort- lot: see SORT sb.1 In most senses, however, closely related to SORT sb.2, and perh. partly repr. F. assortir ASSORT v.]
I. † 1. trans. To allot, apportion or assign. Usu. const. to, for, or with dat. of person. Obs.
c. 1374. Chaucer, Troylus, V. 1827. And forth he wente, shortly for to telle, Ther as Mercurie sorted him to dwelle.
1412–20. Lydg., Chron. Troy, III. 440. Of our expleit þe trouþe to reporte, For whiche part Mars list þe feld to sorte.
1561. Norton & Sackv., Gorboduc, IV. ii. What cruell destenie, What frowarde fate hath sorted vs this chaunce?
1583. Melbancke, Philotimus, K j. How many sporting houres were sorted to the Astronomer C. Gallus.
1599. B. Jonson, Cynthia’s Rev., V. iii. [xi]. How well Diana can distinguish times? And sort her censures? keeping to herself The doom of gods, leaving the rest to us!
† b. To dispose, ordain, order (events). Also absol. Obs. rare.
1592. Wyrley, Armorie, 108. Thus coy fortune sourts, Some now aloft and then cast downe we see.
1594. Shaks., Rich. III., II. iii. 36. All may be well; but if God sort it so, ’Tis more then we deserue or I expect. Ibid. (1596), Merch. V., V. 132. But God sort all.
† 2. intr. To exercise or perform divination. Obs.–1
c. 1450. Merlin, ii. 39. Bringe hethir thy counsell, and the clerkes that sorted of this toure.
† 3. trans. To distribute by lot. Obs. rare.
1513. Douglas, Æneid, III. viii. 7. We sort our airis, and chesis rowaris ilk deill.
1582. Stanyhurst, Æneis, I. (Arb.), 34. Shee … toyls too pioners by drawcut lotterye sorteth.
† 4. To obtain as one’s lot; to share in, partake of. Obs. rare.
1474. Caxton, Chesse, IV. ii. Thus as in going out first into four poyntes he sorteth the nature of knyghtes. Ibid. (1483), Gold. Leg., 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.
† 5. To arrive at, attain to, result in, or reach (an effect, end, etc.). Cf. sense 7 a. Obs.
a. 1548. Hall, Chron., Edw. IV., 214. It was almost incredible to se what effect this new imaginacion … sorted and toke.
1593. Peele, Edw. I., VI. vi. When the war of rebels sorts an end, None might be prince … But such a one as was their countryman.
1612. Shelton, Quix., I. III. xiii. (1620), I. 255. Bidding her to hope firmly, that our good just Desires would sort a wish’d and happy End.
1656. W. Coles, Art Simpl., 4. Their Medicines oft-times sort not their wished, but sometimes contrary effects.
† 6. intr. Of events, etc.: To come about, to fall or turn out, in a certain way or with a certain result. Obs.
c. 1477. Caxton, Jason, 113. Sorceries … and … enchantements, wherof thauenture of the shippe sorted as sayd is.
1589. Greene, Tullies Love, Wks. (Grosart), VII. 193. Promising all shoulde sort according vnto Lentulus minde.
1598. Grenewey, Tacitus, Ann., XV. vi. (1622), 230. That to the Romans many things had sorted luckily, and some to the Parthians.
1609. Dekker, Ravens Almanack, Wks. (Grosart), IV. 241. Which sorted according to their expectations.
1626. Bacon, Sylva, § 317. The Experiment sorted in this Manner.
1653. H. Cogan, trans. Pinto’s Trav., xxvii. 106. We had recourse to mercy, which sorted well for us.
† b. Similarly with out. Obs.
1581. Rich, Farew. (1846), 130. Seyng the matter sorted out as she looked for.
1593. Marlowe, Edw. II., II. i. If all things sort out, as I hope they will.
a. 1637. N. Ferrar, trans. Valdés’ 110 Consid. (1638), 15. Having seen that … my determinations sorted out contrary to that which I determined.
a. 1656. Ussher, Ann. (1658), 158. If things sorted out in this war, as he hoped they would.
† c. To come to effect; to be successful. Obs.
1613. Purchas, Pilgrimage, II. x. I. 137. Intending a plague to the men,… if their working had sorted.
1626. Bacon, Sylva, § 351. It was tried in a Blowne Bladder … and it sorted not. Ibid., § 380. Which is a thing of great profit, if it would sort: But vpon Triall … there followed no Effect.
† 7. a. To come or attain to an end, conclusion, effect, etc. Obs. (Common c. 1575–1650.)
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.
a. 1548. Hall, Chron., Hen. VII. (1809), 498. The third request … never sorted to any effect or conclusion.
1582. N. Lichefield, trans. Castanheda’s Conq. E. Ind., I. 16 b. Their mischeuous enterprise, which had bene likely to haue … sorted to a sorrowful hap and euent.
1618. Weakest goeth to Wall, I iij. I will forbeare my knowledge ’till I see To what effect this cause will sort unto.
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.
† b. To end in coming or leading to a specified result. Obs.
1586. A. Day, Eng. Secretary, II. (1625), 91. Here is head, wit, mind and discretion, all sorting to one thing.
1598. Florio, To Rdr. b ij. Let … the reapers of the fruites iudge betwixt vs whose paines hath sorted to best perfection.
1620. E. Blount, Horæ Subs., 216. Euery mans own Method commonly sorteth best to his owne profit.
1624. Bp. Mountagu, Immed. Addr., 51. Were our desires granted vs, as wee wish, it would sort vnto our hurt and vtter vndoing.
† c. To turn out so as to answer or be agreeable to one’s wish, desire, etc. Obs.
1592. Soliman & Pers., II. i. 238. Gentlemen, each thing hath sorted to our wish.
1606. G. W[oodcocke], Hist Ivstine, I. 5. Thinking that … the thing would so come to passe, as … afterward sorted to their desired wish.
1650. Vaughan, Anthroposophia, 2. These Indeavours sorting not to my purpose, I quitted this Booke-businesse.
† d. To fall to a person as a right or duty. Obs.
1622. Drayton, Poly-olb., xxii. 634. To Salsbury it sorts the palm away to bear.
a. 1677. Barrow, Serm. (1687), I. 142. The duties which upon that occasion are signified to concern people then, do no less now sort to us.
8. trans. To answer or correspond to, to befit or suit. Now rare.
1587. Golding, De Mornay, Ep. Ded. Well sorting your high place and dignitie.
1603. Knolles, Hist. Turks (1621), 360. Which not sorting his [Mohomet’s] desire, the matter was againe brought to parle.
1615. Brathwait, Strappado (1878), 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. 9. trans. 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.
c. 1358. [see SORTING vbl. sb.].
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 465/2. Soortyn, or settyn yn a soorte, sortior.
1482. Rolls of Parlt., 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. Fitzherb., Husb., § 134. Than sorte the trees, the polles by them-selfe, the myddel sorte by them-selfe.
1581. Mulcaster, Positions, xxxvii. (1887), 155. The maister … is no absolute potentate … to sorte mens children, as he liketh best.
1605. Heywood, Know not me, Wks. 1874, I. 285. Past eight a clock, and neither ware sorted, Nor shop swept.
1684. in 3rd Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm., 427/1. Wee have sorted what papers I could at present find.
1718. Free-thinker, No. 11. 71. Letters of every Kind come … which I sort according to their different Complexions.
1765. Phil. Trans., LV. 206. Mr. Rouse … made a machine for sorting woollen thread upon the same principle with this.
1840. Marryat, Poor Jack, xlv. I found her … busy sorting a lot of old bottles.
1888. F. Hume, Mme. Midas, I. ii. When the office was empty, Slivers would go on sorting the scrip on his table.
absol. 1625. B. Jonson, Staple of N., I. ii. They mannage all at home, and sort, and file, And seale the newes, and issue them.
1847. Jrnl. R. Agric. Soc., VIII. 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.
b. Const. with advs. or preps., as asunder, in or into (sets or classes, etc.), etc.
1530. Palsgr., 725. I sorte a sonder the good from the badde, je esplusche.
1533. More, Answ. Poysoned Bk., Wks. 1087/2. Al whych things I wil sort into theyr places.
1608. Willet, Hexapla Exod., 604. The other two curtains were sorted fiue and sixe together.
1644. Milton, Areop. (Arb.), 45. 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. Exam., 16 March, 5/2. A power of analysis … which would equip a mathematician is requisite to sort the material into order.
† c. To separate or distinguish (from something else). Obs. rare.
1551. T. Wilson, Logike (1580), 61 b. We open the doubtfulnesse … of some woorde or sentence, by makyng a distinction … and seuerally sortyng suche thynges, as then were thought to be euill set together.
1587. Fleming, Contn. Holinshed, III. 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.
1599. Shaks., Hen. V., IV. vii. 77. That we may wander ore this bloody field,… To sort our Nobles from our common men.
10. To place in a class or sort; to give a place to; to classily. Also const. after, among, as, together.
1486. Bk. St. Albans, Hawking, d iij. Thay [bells] be passing goode, for thay be wele sortid, well sownded.
1523. Skelton, Garl. Laurel, 1280. Why shulde she take shame That her goodly name … Shulde be set and sortyd, To be matriculate With ladyes of astate?
1581. Mulcaster, Positions, xxxvi. (1887), 135. That wittes well sorted be most ciuill.
1595. Locrine, I. i. 136. If thou follow sacred virtue’s lore Thou shalt be … Sorted among the glorious happy ones.
1613. Chapman, Masque Inns of Court, Plays, 1873, III. 92. After them were sorted two Carrs Triumphall.
1626. Bacon, Sylva, § 340. Mosse … may be better sorted as a Rudiment of Germination.
1687. Tillotson, Barrow’s Wks., I. Pref. The eight following Sermons are likewise sorted together.
1768–74. Tucker, Lt. Nat. (1834), I. 124. Sorting them together in a manner not done before.
b. Const. with.
1599. Davies, Immort. Soul, I. iii. (1714), 20. When she sorts Things present with Things past.
1607. Scholast. Disc. agst. Antichrist, I. i. 50. The Crosse sorteth vs with the Papists, as much as the Garland sorted the Christians with the Pagans.
1669. Sturmy, Mariner’s Mag., VII. iv. 8. This Dial … should be sorted rather with the Æquinoctial Dials, than with the Horizontal.
a. 1703. Burkitt, On N. T., Mark xv. 37. It had been a sufficient disparagement to our Blessed Saviour to have been sorted with the best of men.
1876. Geo. Eliot, Dan. Der., i. A bony, yellow, crab-like hand…, a hand easy to sort with the square gaunt face.
11. With out. To take out, remove or separate (certain sorts from others).
1534. More, Comf. agst. Trib., II. Wks. 1177/2. The tother kynde is thys whych I rehersed second, and sorttyng out the tother twayne, haue kepte it for the last.
1601. Dent, Pathw. Heaven, 259. Thirdly, let there be sorted out all Hypocrites … and cold Christians.
1728. Chambers, Cycl., s.v. Herring, These … are carefully sorted out.
1790. Burke, Fr. Rev., 187. They will sort out the good from the evil.
1868. Lockyer, Guillemin’s 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 Obs.
1553. Bale, Vocacyon, in Harl. Misc. (Malh.), I. 330. God sorted me out, and appointed me from my mothers wombe.
1576. Fleming, Panopl. Epist., 441. You shall viewe … comely shapes,… suche as be chosen, picked, and sorted out for the nonce.
1606. Day, Ile Gulls, I. iii. Sort out but fit time and opportunity.
1818. Scott, Hrt. Midl., xxi. Few folk but mysell could hae sorted ye out a seat like this.
c. To divide or separate into smaller parts, etc. Obs. rare.
1546. Bale, Eng. Votaries, I. (1560), 12. For of [= by] them … were the Iles of the Gentiles sorted out into regions.
c. 1582. 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.
1713. Guardian, No. 120 (1756), II. 143. Her faculties are employed in shuffling, cutting, dealing, and sorting out a pack of cards.
1852. Mrs. Stowe, Uncle Tom’s C., I. xii. 180. The other lady, sorting out some worsteds on her lap.
1862. H. Spencer, First Princ., II. xxi. § 165 (1875), 468. The waves are ever sorting-out and separating the mixed materials against which they break.
12. refl. a. To form sets or groups by some process of combination or separation.
1570–6. Lambarde, Peramb. Kent (1826), 338. A Torneament … in which the English men, of a set purpose … sorted themselves against the strangers.
1601. Holland, Pliny, II. 238. For the most part they sort themselues by couples like man and wife.
1692. R. L’Estrange, Josephus, Antiq., II. v. (1733), 34. They had their times of talking, and sorting themselves together.
1726. De Foe, Hist. Devil, I. x. (1840), 132. The people necessarily sorted themselves into families and tribes after the confusion of languages.
1760–72. H. Brooke, Fool of Qual. (1809), IV. 55. The crowd had sorted themselves, the principals of the families into one groupe, the young men into another, and the fair maidens into another.
b. To associate or consort with another or others. (Cf. 19.) Also with among(st). Now dial. (freq. in 17th cent.).
1579. Tomson, Calvin’s Serm. Tim., 1051. We see that S. Pauls meaning was by this word Common faith, to sort himself quietly with the rest.
1592. Conspir. for Pretended Reform., 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. Wood, Ath. Oxon., I. 23. He found out Will. Tyndale in Germany, with whom for a time he sorted himself.
a. 1713. Ellwood, Autobiog. (1714), 7. I always sorted myself with Persons of Ingenuity, Temperance and Sobriety.
1877. in Peacock, Manley Gloss.
13. To adapt, to fit, to make conformable to or with some thing or person. Now rare or Obs.
(a) 1561. in Tytler, Hist. Scot. (1864), III. 147/1. In sorting your entertainment to every person.
1595. Goodwine, Contin. Blanchardyn (1890), 216. It hath pleased God to sorte our haps to our harts contentments.
1619. W. Sclater, Exp. 1 Thess., 509. Gods precepts … must be so sorted to their seasons.
1822. H. Ainslie, Pilgr. Land of Burns, 235. My auld crazy voice is better sorted to hammeart lilts than sic fine springs.
(b) 1591. Shaks., Two Gent., I. iii. 63. My will is something sorted with his wish.
1607. Dekker & Webster, Sir T. Wyatt, D ij b. My lookes (my loue) is sorted with my heart.
1640. trans. Verdere’s Rom. of Rom., 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.
† b. To bring to an end, effect, etc. Obs.
1591. Troub. Raigne K. John (1611), D ij. Now euery thing is sorted to this end, Lets in.
1597. Certain Prayers, in Liturg. Serv. Q. Eliz. (1847), 677–8. Lord…, who by thy mighty power sortest to what effect thou wilt the Counsels and actions of all men.
1632. Lithgow, Trav., III. 117. The diuine Maiestie doth swey the moments of things, and sorteth them in peremptory manner to strange and vnlooked for effects.
† 14. To choose or select (time, opportunity, etc.) as fitting or suitable. Obs.
Freq. passing into the sense of ‘to arrange, contrive, find, etc.’
1591. Shaks., 1 Hen. VI., II. iii. 27. I’ll sort some other time to visit you.
1592. Kyd, Sp. Trag., IV. iv. 103. They had sorted leasure, To take aduantage … Upon my Sonne.
1624. Heywood, Gunaik., IV. 193. The young mans father, who sorted opportunitie to talke with his sonne. Ibid. (1634), & Brome, Lanc. Witches, II. H.’s Wks. 1874, IV. 192. What times hath she sorted for these journeyes?
† b. To choose (a thing or person) from others.
1591. Shaks., Two Gent., III. ii. 92. Let vs into the City presently To sort some Gentlemen, well skil’d in Musicke. Ibid. (1592), Rom. & Jul., IV. ii. 34. To helpe me sort such needfull ornaments, As you thinke fit to furnish me.
1638. Ford, Lady’s Trial, I. i. 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 Sc.
1598. Barret, Theor. Warres, I. i. 4. The strength of the Battaile is the armed Pike, so they be equally sorted with Harquebuze and Musket. Ibid., II. i. 26. How would you haue a Companie sorted with weapons?
1600. Dymmok, Ireland (1843), 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. Jamieson, Suppl., s.v., I can sort ye wi’ a knife now.
1898. Ld. E. Hamilton, Mawkin, xv. 200. I warrant we’ll sort you with another, and as good a yin too.
16. Sc. and north. a. (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.
(a) 1827. Carlyle, Germ. Rom., IV. 45. Mine host has already in my presence begun sorting the apartment as if I were gone.
1833. Loudon, Encycl. 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. Robinson, Whitby Gloss., s.v., ‘Get all your things soorted up,’ collected together.
absol. 1891. N. Dickson, Kirk Beadle, 109. The preacher returned to the church and found the beadle busy ‘sorting up.’
(b) 1816. Scott, Antiq., xliii. 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[arah] 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) 1816. Scott, Antiq., xv. The powny hasna gane abune thirty mile the day;—Jock was sorting him up as I came ower by. Ibid. (1816), Old Mort., xxxvii. ‘Ye may rely on your naig being weel sorted,’ said Cuddie; ‘I ken weel what belangs to suppering a horse.’
1868. Lady Verney, Stone Edge, vii. Lydia was out in the farmyard ‘sorting,’ the cows herself.
(d) 1817. Lintown Green, 166. Nor he is here tae sort me right.
1866. Miss Mulock, Noble Life, iv. 61. She lifted up the poor child, tenderly and carefully—shook his pillows and ‘sorted’ him.
1890. Nisbet, Bail up! xxviii. Let me sort you up a little.
b. To deal effectively with (a person) by way of punishment, repression, etc.
1815. Scott, Guy M., xxxiii. Bid them bring up the prisoner—I trow I’ll sort him.
1835–. in Sc. and north dial. glossaries and texts.
1878. ‘A. R. Hope,’ My Schoolboy Fr., 265. ‘I will sort this Ghost,’ said Kennedy.
17. In commercial use: To bring up to the usual stock or quantity.
1880. Daily News, 15 Nov., 3/5. The orders … are merely to enable them to sort up sizes.
III. 18. intr. To suit, fit or agree; to be in harmony or conformity. Const. with, † to, or † together. Now arch.
(a) 1590. Shaks., Mids. N., V. i. 55. That is some Satire keene and criticall, Not sorting with a nuptiall ceremonie. Ibid. (1599), Hen. V., IV. i. 63. My name is Pistol call’d. King. It sorts well with your fiercenesse.
1610. W. Folkingham, Art of Survey, I. x. 33. Dry Marle sortes with moist Soyles.
a. 1652. Brome, Queenes Exch., I. i. Wks. 1873, III. 460. 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.
1709. Pope, Ess. Crit., 322. For diff’rent styles with diff’rent subjects sort.
1780. Cowper, Progr. Error, 446. The text that sorts not with his darling whim, Though plain to others, is obscure to him.
1827. Hare, Guesses (1859), 4. The vastness and awfulness of a mere sea-view would ill sort with the other parts of the … prospect.
1858. H. Bushnell, Nat. & Supernat., xi. (1864), 333. The miracles sort with the person of Christ and his mission.
1891. R. W. Church, Oxford Movement, xi. 178. This was no new idea in Anglican divinity, however ill it might sort with the current language of Protestant controversy.
(b) 1590. Greene, Orl. Fur., Wks. (Rtldg.), 92. Mine emblem sorteth to another sense.
1604. Bp. W. Barlow, Sum Conf. Hampton Crt., 27. They appeared before his Maiestie, in Turky gownes, not in their Scholastical habites, sorting to their degrees.
1651. Sir W. Rawleigh’s Ghost, Pref. A careless and pleasurable life, best sorting to our own desires and sensuality.
1709. Mrs. Manley, Secret Mem. (1720), II. 248. Yet sorting to his Humour, we will not ask thee to give him too diffusive a Brightness.
(c) 1600. Holland, Livy, XLIV. xxiv. 1185. A free citie and a King were,… by nature, enemies that possibly could not sort together.
1641. Milton, Reform., II. Wks. 1851, III. 58. Wee see that our Ecclesiall and Politicall choyses may consent and sort as well together … as Christians, and Freeholders.
† b. Without const. To be fitting; to accord; to be in place, to exist. Obs.
1593. Shaks., 3 Hen. VI., II. i. 209. The Queene is comming with a puissant Hoast…. War. Why then it sorts, braue Warriors, let’s away. Ibid. (1606), Tr. & Cr., I. i. 110. Æne. … Wherefore not a field? Troy. Because not there; this womans answer sorts. For womanish it is to be from thence.
1633. Ford, Broken H., I. i. Some one, he is assur’d, may now or then (If opportunity but sort) preuaile.
1667. Milton, P. L., VIII. 384. Among unequals what societie Can sort, what harmonie or true delight?
c. Sc. To come to an agreement or settlement; to come to terms (on something).
1685. Peden, in Walker, Life (1827), 95. If ye be pleased with the Wares,… he and ye will soon sort on the Price.
1814. Scott, Wav., xviii. I cannot tell you precisely how they sorted; but they agreed sae right that [etc.].
19. To associate, consort, go in company with others or together. (Cf. 12 b.) Also with among and without const. Now rare or dial.
(a) 1592. Shaks., Ven. & Ad., 689. Sometime he runs among a flock of sheep…, And sometime sorteth with a herd of deer.
1612. Bacon, Ess., Par. & Childr. (Arb.), 274. The illiberality of Parents … towards their children … makes them sort with meane companie.
1685. Burnet, trans. More’s Utopia, 37. If I should sort with another kind of Ministers.
1720. De Foe, Capt. Singleton, xiii. (1840), 228. He … went over to captain Avery, and sorted with his people.
1784. Cowper, Tiroc., 114. Too careless often as our years proceed, What friends we sort with, or what books we read.
1805–6. Cary, Dante, Inf., XV. 120. A company, with whom I may not sort, Approaches.
1888. Elworthy, W. Somerset Word-bk., 695. I never don’t try vor to sort wi’ my betters.
transf. 1695. Woodward, Nat. Hist. Earth, IV. (1723), 193. Nor do Metalls only sort and herd with Metalls in the Earth.
(b) 1601. Holland, Pliny, I. 233. That willingly these little creatures will not sort together vnlesse they were countrimen as it were. Ibid., 278. What fowles soeuer haue crooked clawes sort not together in flocks.
1672. Eachard, Hobbs’ State Nat., 40. Men are apt to sort, to herd.
1709. Mrs. Manley, Secret Mem. (1720), II. 253. Thus adorn’d,… what genteel … Company would suffer him to sort among them?
1819. W. Tennant, Papistry Storm’d (1827), 77. He did dislike baith Pape and Deil; (Thir twa thegither sortit weil).
