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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Sort, Soirt, n.² Also: sorte, sortt, schort, soret, soirt(e, sourt. [ME and e.m.E. soort (Wyclif), sort (Chaucer), OF sorte (13th c. in Larousse), f. as Sort n.¹]

I. A kind or type of person or thing.

1. Preceded by of, in various phrases.sing. 1562-3 Winȝet II 71/6.
Nixt the Prophetis, of quhat sorte we reid in the Actis of the Apostolis to hef bene Agabus 1597 Bk. Rates 11 b.
Tabillis callit playing tabillis of iver bane … Tabillis of commoun sort 1612 Bk. Rates (Halyb.) 317.
Lanternis of commoun sort the dozen xx s. 1629 Chron. Perth 31.
2000 gentilmen and wtheris of gude sorte 1629 Dundonald Par. Rec. 289.
Consulting with wizardes, sorcerers and vthers of that sorte 1643 Edinb. Test. LX 233.
Elevin vther blak knyfes of that samyn sort 1655 Boharm Kirk S. 15 April.
That none sould presume to sitt in daskes of the common sort but they who had right therto vnder the pain of £10 1684 Sinclair Truth's Vict. over Error To Reader.
I expect as many adversaries of one sort and of another(b) 1586 Edinb. Test. XV 142b.
Nyne heich toppit hattis of the auld soirt 1600 Elgin Rec. II 79.
Alexander Gadderar … to stand in the common place of penitents of that soirt with a mytre to be sett on his headpl. 1519 Reg. Episc. Aberd. II 175.
iiij cussenis of nedyll werk of thre syndry sortis 1535–6 M. Works Acc. (ed.) I 187.
For casis of wyndois of sindry sortis c1650 Spalding I 216.
His hines castellis, fortis, ammvnitioun of al sortis [etc.] 1684 Symson Descr. Galloway 72.
Their wool is of three sorts: laid-wool, moor-wool and deal-wool(b) 1616 Stirling B. Rec. I 144.
Foran clayth of all soirtis

2. Followed by of.sing. 1533 Boece 90b.
In sic sorte of gamyn … he was maist exercit a1538 Abell 113a.
He brocht hame … a sort of kapis … for all the channonis to ws in the festis of our lady 1549 Compl. 42/34.
Thai maid grit cheir of euyrie sort of mylk 1549 Compl. 167/22.
There is ane vthir sort of veyris callit battellis intestynis a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. 327/13.
Thir sorte of men wald haue no quyetnes c1575 Balfour Pract. 88.
Four cradill of the greatest sort of glass 1596 Dalr. I 117/4.
The thrid sorte of the commoune people ar thay quha numberit ar in the laichest digrie 1640 Dumbarton B. Rec. 63.
Best sort of schoone—thrie sollit twentie-sex pennies the inche 1665–7 Lauder Jrnl. 96.
The pomme Minion is better then any of ours: our Marican seimes to be a degenerat sort of it ? 1660–90 J. Walwood in P. Gillespie Rulers Sins (1718) 11.
They will be a small sort of ministers, professors and Christians that he will sparepl. a1568 Scott i 71.
To sett asyde sic sortis of superstitioun God gife thé grace a1568 Sempill in Sat. P. xlviii 1.
Off cullouris cleir quha lykis to weir, Ar sindry sortis in to this toun 1658 Edinb. Test. LXIX 78.
Severall sortes of threidis 1605 Reg. Privy S. VII 145.
Ane of the sortis of the said notour adulterie(b) 1620 Edinb. Test. L 280b.
I haue presentlie standing in my tymber ȝaird … of daillis … and vtheris sindrie schortis of timber(c) 1606 Misc. Bann. C. II 225.
Certane vther soirtis of paper 1615 Crim. Trials III 308.
Ane notorious Egiptian and chiftane of that vnhappie soirt of people 1618 M. Works Acc. (ed.) II 96.
For laying of sindrie soirtes of tymber

b. All sorts of, (persons or things) of every kind or description. Also, with various qualifiers.(1) 1549 Compl. 69/13.
Al sortis of cattel 1560 Acts II 529/1.
The … cruell oppressouris … and all sortis of vnfaithfull salbe cast in the dungeoun of vtter darknes 1578 Conv. Burghs I 58.
Ane lyst … off the dewtie off all sortis off geir 1579 Acts III 150/2.
To inbring to our souerane lordis counȝehous & deliuer to his hienes maister counȝear all sortis of gould and siluer 1601 Edinb. B. Rec. V 289.
That thair be ane commoun hallis for all sorts of victuall brocht to be sawld in the victuall merkett(b) 1534 St. P. Henry VIII IV ii 8.
Ȝour Souverane and we resortis gretlie togidder in al soretis of familiarite(c) 1603 Conv. Burghs II 160.
For metting of all soirtis of claith(2) 1549 Compl. 124/9.
Al vthyr sortis of aduersite 1570 Leslie 265.
Gret quantitie of gold and silver of all kinde of sortes of conye 1580 Acts III 191/1.
All the seuerall sortis of lay and vther cunȝeit siluer c1590 Fowler II 147/14.
In marchandice and tillage and in all other sorts of leving c1615 Chron. Kings 17.
Lukserrie, awareiss, and all wther sorttis of wycis

3. Used collectively.(1) 1567 G. Ball. 116.
All thame that luiffis the Lord, He sauis thame And He confoundis all sort of wickit men 1599 Crim. Trials II 90.
In bying, bloking and intaking of all soirt of geir fra the commoun peple 1603 Reg. Great S. 514/2.
For mettage of all sort of victuall sauld or mett within the said burgh 1612 Orkney & Shetl. Ct. Bk. (ed.) 20.
All soirt of merchandice 1649 Aberd. Council Lett. III 127.
All sort of spyceries and litsterwares c1650 Spalding I 337.
In Newcastell … whairin … wes … breid, wyne … and all sort of good provision 1663 Peebles B. Rec. II 55. 1694 Edinb. B. Rec. X 181.
All sort of chirurgerie instruments and uther instruments for mechanicks(2) 1632 Lithgow Trav. v 206.
The best sort of Mahometans … call themselues Musilmans

4. ellipt. or absol. A particular class, order, rank or type of person. c1500-c1512 Dunb. (STS) lxiii 37.
On ȝour hienes followis eik Ane vthir sort, … Fenȝeouris, fleichouris, and flatteraris 1540 Lynd. Sat. 2034.
[Diligence:] Be sure of preistis thow will get na support. [Pauper:] Gif that be trew the feind ressaif the sort c1530-40 Stewart Bann. MS 88b/79.
And ȝow to serue seik suddanly this sort c1530-40 Stewart Maitl. F. 354/64.
That thow may … bayth the soirtis vnto thi souerane schaw 1562-3 Winȝet II 32/28.
Valentinus, Donatus, … and the rest of that sort a1570-86 Maitl. F. 66/24.
Dull dull dreis the man That trestis into that sort a1570-86 Maitl. F. 328/15.
Bot at that soirt ȝe sould na counsale tak That hes na feir of God a1585 Maitl. Q. 209/29.
The husband to the deathe man euer abyide Gud or bad or quhat sort euer he be 1596 Dalr. I 116/7.
The commoune people in thrie sortes may be diuydet 1606 Birnie Kirk-b. xix.
The first sect … hes two sorts to reason the cause: the pan-sauoring Papist, and the dangerous indifferent

b. With qualifying adjective. c1500-c1512 Dunb. (STS) lxiii 61.
Thocht this nobill cunning sort, … Rewardit be, it war bot ressoun [etc.] 1558-66 Knox II 379.
The Bischope, and his band of the exempted sorte c1577 Knox IV 305.
I speik not this to thame of the lawer sort onlie, but rather to the greatter a1578 Pitsc. II 141/25.
The bischopis with the haill schavelling sort had ane counsall a1585 Maitl. Q. 87/7.
That plesant sort ar all confort And mirrines to men 1583 A. Hay Nobility 34.
He is fallen into some jelousie with the better sort 1584 Melvill 213.
The bas and cursest sort amangs the peiple c1600 Montg. Suppl. xxix 102.
As I hawe confessitt thé Befor the wickitt sortt 1596 Dalr. I 105 marg.
Thrie ordouris of the realme, ecclesiastik, nobilitie, and the laik sorte 1596 Dalr. I 229/3.
Sum … of the vnlerned sorte 1597 Elgin Rec. II 60.
For the wreitting the act of ratificatioun of euerie … mariage … for the ȝeman soirt half merk 1600 Elgin Rec. II 81.
Gif he wret the infamous bill giffin in be the raskall soirt 1606 Birnie Kirk-b. xix.
There is a crafty sort that pretends reason from the causes nature 1605 Forbes Rec. 420.
The order taken … hes armed som of the insolent sort to despyse and misregaird the ministers c1610 Melville Mem. 222. 1658 Misc. Hist. Soc. VII 30.
He is a good plaine teacher and might be usfull for the uulgars sort of our parish c1650 P. Gordon Brit. Dist. 24. 1691 Cramond Kirk S. III 10 Dec.
That tennents or these of the richer sort shall pay in to the boxe for putting in a head stone halfe a croun and cottars or these of the meaner sort … shall pay fourteen shilling Scots

5. Kind, variety, species (of animals or things).(1) 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 1706.
The falcounis … Newand the foullis … Layand thame in be companeis and sortis c1530-40 Stewart Bann. MS 96a/44.
He gaif to me ane cursour gray Worth all this sort that I with mell 1549 Compl. 17/26.
Of this sort [sc. of word] ther is baytht termis ande propositions in Lateen tong 1596 Dalr. I 93/17.
Thay vse ruch couirings, ane sorte to thair bed, another sorte to the jornay conuenient 1646 Edinb. B. Rec. VIII 91.
The twelf penny loaf callit masloch being the thrid sort

b. With defining adjective. 1538 (c1580) Edinb. B. Rec. II 92.
The pair fatt cunings [to be sold] for xl d., and … the lakkest sort for xvj d. 1604 Glasgow Weavers 50.
Linchie winchie of the roundest sort … xxx d. ilk ell, and fourtie pennyis the smallest sort ilk ell 1612 Bk. Rates (Halyb.) 317.
Kists of irne small or middle sort 1612 Bk. Rates (Halyb.) 323.
Pasments of veluot the narrow sort 1656 Aberd. B. Rec. IV 162.
The pynt of strong aill or bear, the best sort, not to be above two shilling Scots

II. 6. A troop, band, company. Also const. of.(1) a1500 Lanc. 813.
Than haith Sir Gawan send … One othir batell with one knychtly sorte 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 826.
That heuinlie sort [sc. of ladies] new nominait Remouit furth … Toward the court c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 136/46.
That seimlie sort [sc. of maidens] in ordour weill besein Did meit the quein c1500-c1512 Dunb. (STS) xxvi 82. 1513 Doug. iii ix 66.
Twa bodeys of our sort [L. de numero nostro] he tuke and rayf 1513 Doug. vi x 66.
Ane other sort [L. alios], ful blyth and glaid, On athir hand behaldis Eneas 1513 Doug. xi xvii 36.
A part closyt … the portis Ne to thar ferys, nor ȝit nane other sortis, The ȝettis listyng oppyn 1528 Lynd. Dreme 345.
I se no plesour heir [sc. in Purgatory] … Quharefor … leif we this sorte in thrall c1550 Lynd. Meldrum 1301.
Than come ane sort as brim as beiris And in him festnit fyftene speiris 15.. Clar. iv 734.
Ȝe beine full welcum heir and all ȝour sorte(2) 1460 Hay Alex. 16096.
Bot tak with him ane sorte of worth[y] knichtis ?a1500 Dewoit Exerc. 125.
Quhen ȝe sawe the sort of tormentis cum in berand a croun of thorne apone a tre a1568 Wedderburn Bann. MS 279b/69.
Quha did mair errasy nor Arrius With the evill sort of pelligrians als?(b) a1595 Cullen Chron. Aberd. 39.
Prestis, nwnis, and haill rabell of that dewillige sowrtt of papistis

III. Way, manner. 7. In phrases with in (once, on): a. Qualified by demonstrative or interrogative adjs., or by the samyn (foresaid, like, etc.).Also (once) without in.(1) 1531 Bell. Boece (M) I 65.
Erar to revenge sum displeseir on thame, than miserabillye to dee in that sort 1533 Boece 36.
In this sort [L. itaque] all thingis dressit to gude poynt 1533 Boece 162b.
The memorabill seneȝeorie of King Gald was endit in sorte foresaid [L. quo dictum modo] 1533 Boece 162b.
Repenting … that he mycht nocht defoule all his cousynesis in the sammyn sorte c1552 Lynd. Mon. 2801.
The dolent deith did him deuore. In quhat sorte, I am nocht certane 1559 Corr. M. Lorraine 426.
My cumyng in thir partis sall do … sum gud and service in ane sort or uther 1560 Rolland Seven S. 2989.
In the same sort baith nicht and day ȝe laubour [etc.] 1567 G. Ball. 103.
Ȝit leit thow nocht me fall in sic ane sort Bot held my hand c1590 Fowler I 296/33.
Sche them bewitcheth in such sort, and with her cup dois peepe … That [etc.] c1590 Fowler II 109/15.
In quhat sort might we persew thame? 1596 Dalr. I 95/2.
The brue of this fleshe … thay make of sik a sorte with litle labour, bot with gret ingine 1615 M. Works Acc. (ed.) I 374.
For transporting [thair warklumes] in the lyk sort from the castell of Edinburgh to Dumferling — a1568 Wedderburn Bann. MS 260b/47.
On that same sort scho did to me maling(2) c1540 Lynd. Kitteis Conf. 39.
Quhow that my lufe did me inbrace Quhat day, how oft, quhat sort and quhare?

b. With qualifying adj. in place of demonstrative, interrogative, etc. 1533 Boece 37b.
Preistis for sacrifice and offering of incens in the auld sorte of Egipcianis [L. prisco Ægyptiorum ritu] c1550 Rolland Ct. Venus ii 909.
That ȝe be welcum … is my intent, And ȝow intreit into all biggest sort a1568 Scott xii 14.
Gif I exort In evill sort Without confort Forsaik me 1611 Reg. Privy C. IX 178.
[He has for a long while] levit in a most godles and prophane soirt 1611 Reg. Privy C. IX 614.
That nobilman … levit in verie good soirt, credit and reputatioun c1616 Hume Orthog. 2.
On the hope of your Majestie's judgement, quhom God hath indeued with light in a sorte supernatural 1616 Fraserburgh Kirk S. 66a (17 Jan.).
He suld satisfie according to the ordour of drunkardis & brak of Sabboth in highest sort 1665–7 Lauder Jrnl. 79.
We have eaten panches heir [sc. in France] … drest in a different sort from ours but better

c. In various (mostly correlative) constructions, with that or as and dependent clause. 1524 Douglas Corr. 15.
My gret trust is in yow, that yow will labour in that sort for me, that … the Earl of Angus shal not come in Scotland 1531 Bell. Boece I 41.
He sall punis him … in the scharpest sort that micht be devisit 1563 Reg. Privy C. I 248.
The Clangregour … oppressis thame in sik sort that [etc.] c1590 Fowler I 38/56.
Lowe with hir me ioyned In such a sort that deathe hir self yit not hes vs disioyned 1594 Acts IV 71/2. 1594 Acts IV 73/1.
In sic sort as salbe thocht metast among thame selffis 1620 Conv. Burghs III 100.
The saids dewtyes had not bein collectit in such sort as that [etc.] c1650 Spalding I 258.
It inraged the confederatis in sic sort as thay culd get no rest whill thay had him … censurit

d. In ony (any) (also, once, every) (maner) (of) sort, in any way.(1) 1545 Reg. Privy C. I 11.
That nane of thame tak upoun hand to tak the said grote in payment in ony maner of sort 1560 Rolland Seven S. 7555.
How can I than in ony sort defame My awin nichtbour 1565 Reg. Privy S. V i 579/1.
That incontrair this present gift in ony soirt may be objectit 1572 Buch. Detect. (1727) 106.
That he affirme not my Lord Justice jurisdictioun in any sort in proceding in the said mater 1585 Acts III 381/2.
Prouiding … the said league be without infringeing or preiudice in onie sort to onie formare league 1585 James VI Ess. 47.
To rage … that she laked help in any sort(b) 1661 Rothesay B. Rec. 67.
That na inhabitant … cast any feall … that in ony sourt may be prejudiciall to the … currant of the vater(2) a1568 Scott xiii 29.
Secreit alswa, in every maner sort

e. (Nocht) in(to) na (maner of) sort, in no way, by no means.(1) 1538 Breadalbane Doc. No. 48.
Johne Campbell hes promittit … at he sall nocht agre in na schort with James Campbell 1543 (c1580) Edinb. B. Rec. II 114.
Na maner of walkar … that walkis ony hewitt clayth, that thai draw nocht the saymn on na sort vnder the pane of spayning of thame fra the occupatioun for yeir and day 1544 Corr. M. Lorraine 118.
Gywe it [sc. the bishopric of Aberdeen] waikis I will nocht want it nor depart with it in na sort 1560 Rolland Seven S. 10002.
Hele not ȝour mynd into na sort fra me 1560 Rolland Seven S. 355.
Discord, inuy [etc.] … Quhilk in na sort amang sic men suld chance 1560 Rolland Seven S. 1140.
He … his heid … turnit bak That be na signe … Into na sort he wald do hir plesance c1568 Lauder Minor P. iii 99.
The preist … Could nocht be comptit faithful in no sort As was the helpfull trew Samaritaine(2) 1542 State P. (Reg. H.) No. 30.
We will nocht invaid his realme in na maner of sort

f. pl. Qualified by all or a numeral.(1) 1542 Reg. Cupar A. II 210.
[He] sall laubour and graitht in all sortis our garding 1561 St. A. Kirk S. 114.
Using hyr in all sortis as hys wyff 1569 Thanes of Cawdor 175.
[He] sall do to thame in all sorttis as ane noble cheif … acht and suld do(2) c1590 Fowler II 108/22.
The knauledge wheroff is proffitable in tua sorts

g. In a sort, in a way, in a manner of speaking. a1652 Dickson Psalms I 82.
Such as trouble unjustly them, of whom the Lord hath taken the maintenance, do in a sort engage God to be their party

h. (Introducing direct speech) In this sort, thus, as follows. 1533 Boece 61.
The king … said in this sorte [L. ita], ‘It is nocht to ȝow vnknawin [etc.]'

8. In phrases with of. a. Of this sort, in this way. b. Of ane sort, in one way (or another).a. 1549 Compl. 89/13.
Of this sort the Kyng of Ingland playit vitht baytht the handis 1549 Compl. 114/17.
Of this sort the Romans on hors … disconfeist the Cartagiens of Capesb. 1572 Buch. Detect. (1727) 24.
Quhill sum talkit of ane sort, sum of ane uther

9. With on and correlative construction: In such a way that (as). 1585–6 Reg. Privy C. IV 50.
The saidis personis … on sic sorte persewis the saidis complenaris as thay dar not remane at thair awne duelling houssis

10. In various phrases with efter (after), = in.After a sort, in one and the same way. a1561 Q. Kennedy Breif Tract. (ed.) 142/3.
Efter the sammyne sort and maner as Arrius vickitlye interpreit … the scripture 1586–7 Rait & Cameron King James's Secret 145.
We wer no wayis freindly receavit, nor efter the honest sort it hes pleasit your majestie to use hir embassador c1590 Fowler II 157/35.
Men dois nocht proceid not after a sort in these things … for some proceideth … slawlye and with respect, others with rashnes & vncircumspectioun