collates

Collates is the third-person singular present form of the verb collate. Collate means to gather and arrange items in a prescribed, orderly sequence. The related noun form is collation, which refers to the process or the result of arranging materials in a specific order. The term is used across multiple fields, including printing, data management, and bibliographic work.

In printing and publishing, collating describes assembling printed sheets or pages in the correct order for binding. A complete collated set of a document has pages arranged sequentially, ready for binding, while uncollated sets require sorting. Modern printers use collating machines to automate the process, producing multiple sets in the desired order for efficient production.

In data management and research, to collate means to collect and harmonize information from different sources for comparison, integration, or verification. Collation in this sense supports data quality, consistency, and cross-referencing across datasets or records. In textual criticism and library science, collation involves comparing different texts or editions to identify variations and establish a standard form.

Etymology traces collate to Latin collatus, meaning brought together, with subsequent transmission through French and English usage. The term emphasizes bringing disparate elements into a coherent, ordered whole.