Collation

n. [Lat. collatio. See COLLATE.] 1. The act of bringing or laying together and comparing; a comparison of one copy or thing of a like kind with another; as, the collation of one book, or sheet, or manuscript, with another. Pope.

2. The act of conferring or bestowing. Ray.
3. (Eccl. Law.) The presentation of a clergyman to a benefice by a bishop, who has it in his own gift or patronage. Blackstone.
4. (Law.) (a.) The act of comparing the copy of any paper with its original to ascertain its conformity. (b.) The report of the act made by the proper officers.
5. (Scots Law.) The right which an heir has of throwing the whole heritable and movable estates of the deceased into one mass, and sharing it equally with others who are of the same degree of kindred.

☞ This also obtains in the civil law, and is found in the code of Louisiana. Bouvier. 6. An unceremonious repast or lunch; as, a cold collation. Collation of seals (Old Law), a method of ascertaining the genuineness of a seal by comparing it with another known to be genuine. Bouvier.