collate

American  

[kuh-leyt, koh-, ko-, koh-leyt, kol-eyt] / kəˈleɪt, koʊ-, kɒ-, ˈkoʊ leɪt, ˈkɒl eɪt /

verb (used with object)

collated, collating

1. to gather or arrange in their proper sequence (the pages of a report, the sheets of a book, the pages of several sets of copies, etc.).

2. Bookbinding. to verify the arrangement of (the gathered sheets of a book), usually by inspecting the signature at the foot of the first page of each sheet or the mark printed on the back of each sheet or on the spine of each signature.

3. to compare (texts, statements, etc.) in order to note points of agreement or disagreement.

4. Bibliography. to verify the number and order of the sheets of (a volume) as a means of determining its completeness.

5. Computers. to merge (sequenced data from two or more data sets or files) to produce a new sequenced data set or file.

6. Ecclesiastical. to present by collation, as to a benefice.

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collate British  

/ kɒˈleɪt, kə- /

verb

1. to examine and compare (texts, statements, etc) in order to note points of agreement and disagreement

2. (in library work) to check the number and order of (the pages of a book)

3. bookbinding

   1. to check the sequence of (the sections of a book) after gathering

   2. a nontechnical word for gather

4. (often foll by to) Christianity to appoint (an incumbent) to a benefice

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Other Word Forms

• collatable
  adjective
• collator
  noun

Etymology

Origin of collate

First recorded in 1550–60; from Latin collātus “borne together,” past participle of conferre “to bear together,” from con- con- + ferre “to bear, bring, carry”; for the suppletive element -lātus, earlier tlātus (unrecorded), see also thole ², tolerate

Explanation

Although the verb collate specifically means to put pages in a correct order, the word can be used more generally to mean to put anything into the proper sequence. Collating can mean the mindless job of putting papers in order before stapling them, or it can mean the high-brow analytical job of critically comparing multiple texts. Both usually involve paper, only the latter involves higher-order thinking. "The genealogists collated data from several sources, which made them realize, based on the dates, that Henry the VIII could not have been on the family tree."

Example Sentences

Collate the statistics from the November Tests and the Four Nations and more than two-thirds of tries were scored from three phases or fewer.

From The Guardian • Jan. 29, 2013

Collate every book to make sure that no pages are missing, unless it is ascertained that the binder includes this process in his work.

From Mending and Repair of Books by Brown, Margaret Wright

Collate this with the date of the fifth extract made by myself from the newspapers.

From The Works of Edgar Allan Poe — Volume 1 by Willis, Nathaniel Parker