Assorts

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. Separates items into different groups or categories based on traits ; brings together various things or elements in combination
2. Sorts or classifies objects into distinct classes or types ; arranges a mixture or blend of items into one collection
3. Distributes items according to certain criteria or classes ; unites diverse components to form a single varied set

Etymology: "Assorts" is the third-person singular form of "assort," so the story belongs to the verb itself. The verb comes from Middle French "assortir," meaning to sort or match things together, built on the idea of putting items into a suitable set. Its original sense was closer to matching or arranging compatible things than to the modern notion of separating them. That shift runs in both directions in the modern meaning. "Assort" can mean dividing items into categories, as when a clerk assorts letters by postal code, or bringing diverse things together into a mixture, as when a shop assorts sweets in a single jar. The two senses look opposite but share the core idea of grouping things according to how they fit.

Synonyms: categorizes, classifies, groups, divides, allocates

Antonyms: disarranges, disorganizes, confuses, messes up