Assorted: Middle English "assortid," from Anglo-Norman French "assortir," from Late Latin "assortare," from Latin "sors" (lot, portion).
Meaning:
Consisting of a variety of different items; composed of various elements.
Origin:
The origin of the word "assorted" relates to the practice of assigning people to different groups or categories, such as lots or portions. In medieval times, people were often assigned to specific roles or tasks based on their individual characteristics or abilities. This concept of sorting and classification is reflected in the word "assorted," which implies a collection of items that have been grouped together based on their similarities or differences.
Examples:
An assorted box of chocolates contains chocolates of various flavors and shapes.
The class had an assortment of students from different backgrounds and interests.
The store offers an assorted selection of fruits and vegetables.
Other Etymologies of Assorted Items:
Caramel: Spanish "caramelo," probably from Late Latin "cannamellis" (sugar cane).
Chocolate: Nahuatl "xocolātl," meaning "bitter water."
Dandelion: French "dent-de-lion" (lion's tooth), from the shape of its leaves.
Giraffe: Arabic "zarafah," ultimately from Ethiopian "geraffa."
Indigo: Greek "indikon," from "India," where the dye was first obtained.
Kangaroo: Aboriginal Guugu Yimithirr "gangurru," meaning "big jumper."
Marzipan: Persian "mārzbān," originally a kind of sweetmeat made with almonds.
