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collate

[kuh-leyt, koh-, ko-, koh-leyt, kol-eyt]
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verb (used with object), col·lat·ed, col·lat·ing.
  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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Origin of collate

1550–60; < Latin collātus (past participle of conferre to bring together), equivalent to col- col-1 + lā- (suppletive stem of ferre) + -tus past participle ending
Related formscol·lat·a·ble, adjectivecol·la·tor, nounun·col·lat·ed, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for collating

Historical Examples

  • The existence of this fragment shows the necessity of collating all the MSS.

    Studies on the Legend of the Holy Grail

    Alfred Nutt

  • On the contrary, he made a point of collating the several MSS.

  • I have thus had the great advantage of collating the readings of MS. Harl.

  • It is quite a different thing remembering, and collating, references in.

    Alone

    Norman Douglas

  • He had photographic copies of all the Latin texts and he was collating them with the original.

    Csar or Nothing

    Po Baroja Baroja

British Dictionary definitions for collating

collate

verb (tr)
  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 (def. 9)
  4. (often foll by to) Christianity to appoint (an incumbent) to a benefice
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Word Origin

C16: from Latin collātus brought together (past participle of conferre to gather), from com- together + lātus, past participle of ferre to bring
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for collating

collate

v.

1610s, from Latin collatus, irregular past participle of conferre "to bring together," from com- "together" (see com-) + latus (see oblate (n.)), serving as past participle of ferre "to bear" (see infer). Related: Collated; collating.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper