Sortie: meaning, definitions and examples

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sortie

 

[ ˈsɔːrti ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

military mission

A sortie is a mission or deployment undertaken by a military unit, often involving a flight or attack operation. Historically, the term has been associated with aircraft missions, particularly during wartime, where aircraft take off to engage in combat or reconnaissance.

Synonyms

deployment, mission, operation

Examples of usage

  • The pilots prepared for their next sortie at dawn.
  • After a successful sortie, the crew returned to base.
  • The sortie involved multiple aircraft covering different sectors.
Context #2 | Noun

literary adventure

In a literary context, a sortie can refer to a brief excursion or adventure, often leading to new experiences or challenges. This usage evokes the sense of a journey out of the ordinary, often for personal exploration.

Synonyms

adventure, excursion, exploration

Examples of usage

  • Her novel features a sortie into the unknown.
  • They went on a spontaneous sortie through the city.
  • Each sortie revealed more about their characters.

Translations

Translations of the word "sortie" in other languages:

🇵🇹 saída

🇮🇳 निकास

🇩🇪 Ausgang

🇮🇩 keluar

🇺🇦 вихід

🇵🇱 wyjście

🇯🇵 出口

🇫🇷 sortie

🇪🇸 salida

🇹🇷 çıkış

🇰🇷 출구

🇸🇦 مخرج

🇨🇿 východ

🇸🇰 východ

🇨🇳 出口

🇸🇮 izhod

🇮🇸 útgangur

🇰🇿 шығу

🇬🇪 გამავალი

🇦🇿 çıxış

🇲🇽 salida

Word origin

The word 'sortie' originates from the French term 'sortie', which means 'a going out, an exit'. It derived from the Latin word 'exir', meaning 'to go out' or 'to come out'. The term began to be used in English in the late 19th century, primarily in military contexts. Initially, it referred to a sudden attack by troops or a flight launched from a base, especially in aerial warfare. Over time, its usage expanded to encompass various forms of missions and external ventures, both in military and literary settings, reflecting the idea of venturing out from a secure position into the unknown.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #24,361, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.