COLLATION

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does collation mean? 

• COLLATION (noun)
  The noun COLLATION has 3 senses:

1. a light informal meal

2. assembling in proper numerical or logical sequence

3. careful examination and comparison to note points of disagreement

  Familiarity information: COLLATION used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• COLLATION (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A light informal meal

Classified under:

Nouns denoting foods and drinks

Synonyms:

bite; collation; snack

Hypernyms ("collation" is a kind of...):

meal; repast (the food served and eaten at one time)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "collation"):

refreshment (snacks and drinks served as a light meal)

nosh ((Yiddish) a snack or light meal)

coffee break; tea break (a snack taken during a break in the work day)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Assembling in proper numerical or logical sequence

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("collation" is a kind of...):

aggregation; assembling; collecting; collection (the act of gathering something together)

Derivation:

collate (to assemble in proper sequence)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Careful examination and comparison to note points of disagreement

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("collation" is a kind of...):

comparing; comparison (the act of examining resemblances)

Derivation:

collate (compare critically; of texts)

 Context examples 

The information provided to the investigators by the honest broker may incorporate linkage codes to permit information collation and/or subsequent inquiries (i.e., a re-identification code), however the information linking this re-identification code to the patient's identity must be retained by the honest broker and subsequent inquiries are conducted through the honest broker.

(Honest Broker, NCI Thesaurus)

After the business of arriving was over, it was first necessary to eat, and the doors were thrown open to admit them through one or two intermediate rooms into the appointed dining-parlour, where a collation was prepared with abundance and elegance.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

Mr. and Mrs. Elton, indeed, shewed no unwillingness to mix, and be as agreeable as they could; but during the two whole hours that were spent on the hill, there seemed a principle of separation, between the other parties, too strong for any fine prospects, or any cold collation, or any cheerful Mr. Weston, to remove.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

In the country, an unpremeditated dance was very allowable; but in London, where the reputation of elegance was more important and less easily attained, it was risking too much for the gratification of a few girls, to have it known that Lady Middleton had given a small dance of eight or nine couple, with two violins, and a mere side-board collation.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)