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: 1546-1651
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Sort, v.2 [OF sortir (c1160 in Larousse) to go or move out or away. Cf. Sort v.1]
1. intr. To leave, to come or go out fray (forth of) a place. ?1546 Corr. M. Lorraine 160.
The kyngis grace my master hes gifyn me charg this mornyn sortane fray the mes to writ to your lordschipis that [etc.] 1602 Cal. Sc. P. XIII 1101.
[Before his] sorting [forth of the college Mr. Walter was come to the town two days]
b. specif. Of armed men: To sally out, make a sortie (from, out (of) a place).(1) 1571 Bann. Trans. 248.
They of Leyth also sorted, and efter some skirmissing, there were but small skayth on eather syde a1597-1617 Hist. Jas. VI (1825) 25.
The regent … cawsit his cumpany to sort in arrayit battell, to stop the queynis passage a1597-1617 Hist. Jas. VI (1825) 77.
Mortoun sortit with men and horsis and assailyeit thayme fearcelie(2) 1571 Bann. Memor. 124.
Thair sortit out of the toun … about 200 hors 1572-5 Diurnal of Occurrents 239.
Thai causit the bandis of the men of weare … to sort from Leith a1597-1617 Hist. Jas. VI (1825) 12.
The lordis sortit from Edinburgh be placis of advantage 1614 Criminal Trials III 287.
Thrie hundreth menne with displayed ensigne, did sort out of the towne a1651 Calderwood V 297.
As the king and his companie sorted out of the toun(3) 1614 Criminal Trials III 287.
As we approched [Kirkwall] the rebellis sorted out, boasting that they wold fight with ws
2. tr. ? To resort to, frequent (another, or his company).[Perhaps an aphetic form of Resort v. 9.] 1575 Waus Corr. 102.
My aent … vas meining to yov that thar vas swm sortting your company, rathar to agment cavldneis, nor nores amitty
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"Sort v.2". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 15 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/sort_v_2>
