Collate - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

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SKIP TO CONTENT collate /ˈkoʊleɪt/ /ˈkʌʊleɪt/ IPA guide

Other forms: collated; collating; collates

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."

Definitions of collate

verb assemble in proper sequence “collate the papers” see moresee less type of: order bring order to or into
verb compare critically; of texts see moresee less type of: compare examine and note the similarities or differences of

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Vocabulary lists containing collate

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