Literally, to bring or lay together. Hence,

To lay together and compare, by examining the points in which two or more things of a similar kind agree or disagree; applied particularly to manuscripts and books; as, to collate copies of the Hebrew Scriptures.

To confer or bestow a benefice on a clergyman, by a bishop who has it in his own gift or patronage; or more strictly, to present and institute a clergyman in a benefice, when the same person is both the ordinary and the patron; followed by to. If the patron neglects to present, the bishop may collate his clerk to the church.

To bestow or confer; but now seldom used, except as in the second definition.

To place in a benefice, as by a bishop. If the bishop neglects to collate within six months, the right to do it devolves on the archbishop.