sorting

[ sawr-ting ]

noun

, Geology.

1. the process by which sedimentary particles become separated according to some particular characteristic, as size or shape.

sorting

/ sôr′tĭng /

1. The process by which sediment particles that have a certain characteristic, such as a given shape or grain size, are separated from other associated particles by an active agent of transportation, such as wind, a stream, or a glacier.
2. A measure of the degree to which this process has occurred within a body of sediment. Wind-blown sediments are usually well-sorted because only a small range of grain sizes can be lifted by a particular wind velocity. Glacially derived sediments are usually poorly sorted because of the great range of particle sizes that are picked up by a moving glacier.

Word History and Origins

Origin of sorting¹

sort + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

The same applies whether on the bus, sheltering in a tube station or sorting through the rubble.

From Los Angeles Times

"And so in that sense we wanted players to fall upon and see the echoes that they may not have noticed or have been using while they're sorting through all the echoes that they have."

From BBC

"So I’ll be sorting through the mail, cancelling the stamps, and then sending them on via passing cruise ships," he said.

From BBC

But when sorting through Halloween treats, Peanut M&Ms, 100 Grands and Almond Joys may be better options over Rolos, Krackels and Crunches.

From Salon

“We are writing the actual executive orders. We are writing the actual regulations now, and we are sorting out the legal authorities for all of what President Trump is running on.”

From Salon

Related Words

• allocation
• allotment
• analysis
• arrangement
• coordination
• designation
• distribution
• grade
• regulation