Lewis & Short

collātĭo (conl-), ōnis, f. [confero], a bringing together, collecting.

  1. I. Prop., of the standards in war for battle, a hostile meeting: signorum, Cic. de Or. 1, 48, 210: centuriarum, for voting, id. ap. Ascon. in Toga Cand. p. 85, 18 Baiter: hyacinthorum et auri, Plin. 37, 9, 42, § 126.
    Of money, a contribution, collection, a gratuity collected together for the emperor: stipis aut decimae, Liv. 5, 25, 5; 4, 60, 6; 6, 14, 12; Tac. G. 29; Suet. Calig. 42; id. Ner. 38; 44; id. Tit. 7; cf. Plin. Pan. 41, 1 Schwarz.
    In jurid. Lat.: collatio bonorum, the putting together of the possessions of several, in order to divide them equally, Dig. 37, 6, 1, § 8; cf. Cod. 6, 20: de collationibus, et saep.
  2. II. Trop.
    1. A. Malitiarum, a union, combination, Plaut. Mil. 3, 3, 67: vocum, Dig. 47, 10, 15, § 4.
    2. B. A comparison, similitude, παραβολή: collatio est oratio rem cum re ex similitudine conferens, Cic. Inv. 1, 30, 49; id. Fin. 2, 27, 75; id. N. D. 3, 28, 70; id. Div. 2, 17, 38; id. Tusc. 4, 38, 84 (cf. Quint. 5, 11, 23; Hirt. B. G. 8, 8; Quint. 8, 3, 77; 7, 7, 2; Plin. 37, 9, 42, § 126).
    3. C. In philos.: collatio rationis, the analogy, Cic. Fin. 3, 10, 33 Madv.; id. Tusc. 4, 12, 27; cf.: rerum saepe factarum inter se collatio, Sen. Ep. 120, 3.
    4. D. In gram.: collatio secunda, the comparative: collatio tertia, the superlative, Fest. p. 181, 28, and 286, 26 Müll.
    5. E. The comparison, collation of texts, manuscripts, etc. (late Lat.): aliquem multorum codicum vetustiorum collatione confutare. Aug. c. Faust. 32, 16.