collocation

[ kol-uh-key-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act of collocating.
2. the state or manner of being collocated.
3. the arrangement, especially of words in a sentence.
4. Linguistics. a co-occurrence of lexical items, as perform with operation or commit with crime.

Other Words From

• collo·cation·al collo·cative adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of collocation¹

1595–1605; < Latin collocātiōn- (stem of collocātiō ), equivalent to collocāt ( us ) ( collocate ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

We cannot tell whether it depends wholly on laws, or partly on laws and partly on a collocation.

From Project Gutenberg

If it depends on a collocation, it will be true in all the cases in which that particular collocation exists.

From Project Gutenberg

The derivative law in this case depends not solely on laws, but on a collocation; and collocations cannot be reduced to any law.

From Project Gutenberg

Whereas Descartes made the union between them a violent collocation, Geulincx practically called it a miracle.

From Project Gutenberg

The collocation of "grace" and "strength" in the ninth verse is characteristic of the New Testament, and very significant.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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