Assort Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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assort
[əˈsɔːrt ]
Definition
categorize items
To assort means to collect or distribute items according to their type, kind, or class. This action often involves organizing or arranging items systematically based on specific criteria.
Synonyms
arrange, categorize, classify, organize.
Examples of usage
- Please assort these books by genre before placing them on the shelves.
- The store will assort the new products according to size and color.
- We need to assort the supplies into different categories for better inventory management.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Science
- In biology, assortative mating refers to individuals choosing partners with similar traits, affecting genetic diversity.
- Ecologists often assort organisms based on their habitats and interactions, helping in the understanding of ecosystem dynamics.
- Assortment plays a critical role in laboratory experiments, where categorized samples lead to clearer and more reliable results.
Commerce
- Retail stores frequently use assortment strategies to offer a variety of products, attracting different customer preferences.
- Assorted product packaging can increase sales by presenting customers with more choice in one purchase.
- E-commerce platforms analyze customer data to assort products that are likely to appeal to similar user profiles.
Culinary Arts
- Assorted platters, such as cheese or meat boards, are popular in catering, showcasing a variety of flavors.
- In baking, an assorted box of cookies provides a delightful mix for both sharing and enjoyment.
- Cuisines around the world often feature assorted dishes, allowing diners to experience a range of flavors in one meal.
Art
- Artists might assort their materials, using a variety of colors and textures to create unique pieces.
- Art exhibits often feature assorted works to exhibit trends, styles, or periods in art history.
- The concept of assorting can be seen in collage art, where different images and mediums are combined into a new whole.
Origin of 'assort'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from the Latin 'assortire', which means to 'sort out'.
- It has French roots too, where 'assortir' means to 'to put together'.
- The term was first used in English in the late 15th century, indicating the practice of sorting or categorizing.
The word 'assort' originated from the Middle French word 'assorter', which means to sort or classify, derived from 'a-' (a variant of 'ad-', meaning 'to') and 'sortir' (to sort). It entered the English language in the late 18th century, during a period when commerce and trade were becoming increasingly vital to economies. The concept of assorting items became popular as retailers sought to improve the management and attractiveness of their inventories. The distinction in grouping based on type or class helped in enhancing the shopping experience, making it easier for consumers to find what they needed. Over time, the term has been applied not only to physical items but also to data and information, maintaining its fundamental meaning of grouping items systematically.