Topic: COMPUTERS
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| Date: | 1300-1400 |
| Language: | Old French |
| Origin: | sorte, from Latin sors 'chance, what you get by luck, share, condition' |
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sort1 S1 W1
1 a group or class of people, things etc that have similar qualities or features [= type, kind]Most of the victims developed psychological problems of one sort or another (=of various different types).
type/kind
[countable] all sorts (of something) (=a lot of different types of things) They play pop, rock, jazz, soul, all sorts in there. I like all sorts of food - I'm not fussy.
They play pop, rock, jazz, soul, all sorts in there.I like all sorts of food - I'm not fussy. of some sort/some sort of something (=used when you do not know exactly what type) He wondered if Rosa was in some sort of trouble. There was a game of some sort going on inside.
He wondered if Rosa was in some sort of trouble.There was a game of some sort going on inside.Most of the victims developed psychological problems of one sort or another (=of various different types).2
sort of
spokena) used to say that something is partly true but does not describe the exact situation : I sort of like him, but I don't know why. 'Do you know what I mean?' 'Sort of.'
I sort of like him, but I don't know why.'Do you know what I mean?' 'Sort of.'b) used when you are trying to describe something but it is difficult to find the right word or to be exact : Then they started sort of chanting. The walls are a sort of greeny-blue colour.
Then they started sort of chanting.The walls are a sort of greeny-blue colour. sort of like (=used very informally when searching for the right words) It was sort of like really strange and mysterious, walking round this empty building.
It was sort of like really strange and mysterious, walking round this empty building.c) used to make what you are saying sound less strong or direct : Well, I sort of thought we could go out together sometime. It was sort of a shock when I found out.
Well, I sort of thought we could go out together sometime.It was sort of a shock when I found out.d) a price etc that is not very exact, but could be slightly more or less : That's the sort of price I was hoping to pay. What sort of time were you thinking of starting?
sort of price/time/speed etc
especially British EnglishThat's the sort of price I was hoping to pay.What sort of time were you thinking of starting?3 used when something is not a good or typical example of its kind of thing : I had a conversation of sorts with a very drunk man at the bus stop.
of sorts/of a sort
I had a conversation of sorts with a very drunk man at the bus stop.4 used when you are mentioning or describing something in a way that is not definite or exact : We could just stay here and pass the time, sort of thing. She uses a wheelchair sort of thing.
sort of thing
spoken especially British EnglishWe could just stay here and pass the time, sort of thing.She uses a wheelchair sort of thing.5 used when you are angry about what someone has said or done : What sort of time do you call this to come in?
what sort of ...?
spoken especially British EnglishWhat sort of time do you call this to come in?6 used to say angrily that something is not true or that someone should not do something : 'I'm going to watch TV.' 'You'll do nothing of the sort!'
nothing of the sort
spoken especially British English'I'm going to watch TV.' 'You'll do nothing of the sort!'7 someone who has a particular type of character, and is therefore likely to behave in a particular way [= type]:
person
[singular] British English8 used to say that you think someone is behaving in a strange or crazy way : He goes climbing up cliffs without ropes or anything? Oh well, it takes all sorts.
it takes all sorts (to make a world)
British EnglishHe goes climbing up cliffs without ropes or anything? Oh well, it takes all sorts.9TD if a computer does a sort, it puts things in a particular order
computer
[singular]TD10 feeling a little ill or upset : Louise went back to work feeling rather out of sorts.
ill/upset
out of sorts
Louise went back to work feeling rather out of sorts.WORD CHOICE: WORD CHOICE:
type, kind, sortType, kind, and sort all have the same meaning and can be used in the same situations • What type of car do you drive? • an interesting kind of plant • a new sort of mobile phone If you are saying that something is partly true or are not being exact, use sort of or kind of rather than type of • It's a sort of oval shape.GRAMMARType, kind, and sort are countable nouns, and they must be plural after determiners with plural meanings:this type/kind/sort of + singular noun • I don't like this type of thing. • This kind of mistake is easy to make. • Red wine goes well with this sort of dish.these/those types/kinds/sorts of + plural/singular noun • How common are these types of illness(es)? • Those kinds of colours look good with dark skin.!! Remember to use the plural types/kinds/sorts after all, both, certain, different, many, several, various etc • movies that appeal to certain kinds of people (NOT certain kind of people) • Many sorts of jobs require computing skills (NOT many sort of jobs). ➔ See also type
WORD CHOICE: type, kind, sortType, kind, and sort all have the same meaning and can be used in the same situations • What type of car do you drive? • an interesting kind of plant • a new sort of mobile phone If you are saying that something is partly true or are not being exact, use sort of or kind of rather than type of • It's a sort of oval shape.GRAMMARType, kind, and sort are countable nouns, and they must be plural after determiners with plural meanings:this type/kind/sort of + singular noun • I don't like this type of thing. • This kind of mistake is easy to make. • Red wine goes well with this sort of dish.these/those types/kinds/sorts of + plural/singular noun • How common are these types of illness(es)? • Those kinds of colours look good with dark skin.!! Remember to use the plural types/kinds/sorts after all, both, certain, different, many, several, various etc • movies that appeal to certain kinds of people (NOT certain kind of people) • Many sorts of jobs require computing skills (NOT many sort of jobs). ➔ See also type
