cotejo

Cotejo is a noun in Spanish that denotes the action of cotejar: comparing or cross-checking sources, data, or documents to ensure accuracy and coherence. It is a term commonly used in administrative, legal, and archival contexts to describe the verification of information, credentials, or records.

In practice, the cotejo involves verifying that items match across sources, such as data against primary records, signatures against authorized lists, or documents against reference copies. It is a standard step in audits, compliance procedures, and records management, where the goal is to confirm consistency and authenticity.

In the colloquial language of several Spanish-speaking countries, cotejo can also mean a game or match between teams, i.e., a contest or sporting encounter. In this sense it is roughly synonymous with partido or encuentro, though its regional usage and formality may vary.

Etymologically, the noun derives from the verb cotejar, whose core meaning is to compare or verify. The term is entrenched in formal and administrative discourse but remains flexible enough to describe both verification tasks and informal competitive events, depending on context.

See also: cotejar.