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.
Quotation dates: 1513-1587, 1638-1685
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Sort, v.1 P.p. also sortitt. [ME and e.m.E. sort (Chaucer), OF sortir to predict (something) by drawing lots (c1155 in Larousse), L. sortīrī.]
1. tr. To allot, distribute (by casting lots). 1513 Doug. iii viii 7.
We sort our aris [L. sortiti remos] and chesis rowaris ilke deill
2. To arrange, divide up or put in order (persons or things), in accordance with some system or scheme.(1) 1530–1 Acta Conc. Publ. Aff. 348.
All landit men [etc.] … [to] pas and remane with the said erle … and to be ordourit and sortit be him as he sall think maist necessar(2) 1571 Misc. Bann. C. III 140.
I sorted all my letters that day, and took with me only bot the commissionis gevin be the Q. Scot 1577 Crawford Mun. Invent. I 5 (1 Jan.).
Inuentar of vrytingis resauit … be Mr. Jhon Lyndsay and sortit be him
3. To settle, finalise. 1571 Bann. Memor. 106.
About one eftir midnycht, we lay downe our lederis and our coirdis and sortit all our bussines
4. To deal with (a person) by way of punishment. c1679 Kirkton Hist. 205.
[The Court of High Commission] Their power is very ample; they make many offenders, and sort them strangely, even in their commission
5. ? To collect, gather up; ? to pick, select, single out; ? to carry off, steal, plunder. 1513 Doug. x ix 89.
Serestus sortis vp [L. lecta] hys [sc. Pallas'] armour gay … To hyng as trophe … Tyll Mars
6. intr. Of matters, events, etc.: To work out, turn out (in a particular way). 1587 Warrender P. (SHS) II 40.
If he had been present at the first thai knew materis wold haif sorted better 1587 Waus Corr. 410.
Quhat end this sall sort to I wald be aduerteist with all expeditioun a1639 Spotsw. Hist. (1655) 74.
He retired home discontent, and laid many ways to repair himself, but all sorted to no effect c1650 Spalding II 318.
If the Lord Gordoun had not bein thair, it micht haue sortit war for Cluny
7. Of persons: To agree, come to terms (on (upon) something). c1639 Annandale Corr. 297.
His father and … freinds … haue not sortitt verie [weill] vpon thair particulars 1685 Peden in Walker Life (1827) 95.
If ye be pleased with the wares … he and ye will soon sort on the price
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"Sort v.1". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 13 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/sort_v_1>
