Sort Of Meaning

Example : 1918, W. B. Maxwell, chapter 19, The Mirror and the Lamp:  Nothing was too small to receive attention, if a supervising eye could suggest improvements likely to conduce to the common welfare. Mr. Gordon Burnage, for instance, personally visited dust-bins and back premises, accompanied by a sort of village bailiff, going his round like a commanding officer doing billets.1963, Margery Allingham, “Foreword”, in The China Governess[1]:  â€˜I understand that the district was considered a sort of sanctuary,’ the Chief was saying. ‘An Alsatia like the ancient one behind the Strand, or the Saffron Hill before the First World War. […]’  It sort of makes sense the way he explains it, but I still don't really understand.‎