Middle English Dictionary Entry
sō̆rten v.(1)
Entry Info
| Forms | sō̆rten v.(1) Sg.3 (error) shorteth. |
| Etymology | From sō̆rt n.(1) or L sortior & OF sortir. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To perform divination, make a prediction based on divination; (b) to assign (sb. or sth.), allot; also, assign (sb. to do sth.); ~ the feld, assign (sb.) the victory.
Associated quotations
a
- a1500(?c1450) Merlin (Cmb Ff.3.11)39 : Bringe hethir thy counsell, and the clerkes that sorted of this toure.
b
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)3.440 : Þer schal men go be-twene Of our expleit þe trouþe to reporte, Whiche part Mars list þe feld to sorte, Of his power.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)5.1827 : Forth he wente..Ther as Mercurye sorted [vrr. sortede, shorteth] hym to dwelle.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)465 : Soortyn, or settyn yn a soorte: Sortior.
- (a1460) Vegetius(2) (Pmb-C 243)749 : The legioun in x is thus cohorted, vi Ml. and an c men on foote, vii c hors, and xxx therto soorted.