[ad. L. collocātiōn-em, n. of action f. collocāre (see prec.). Cf. F. collocation.]
1. The action of setting in a place or position, esp. of placing together with, or side by side with, something else; disposition or arrangement with, or in relation to others; the state of being so placed. Frequently applied to the arrangement of words in a sentence, of sounds, etc.
1605. Bacon, Adv. Learn., II. x. § 5. In … Anatomie … they enquire of the Parts, and their Substances, Figures, and collocations.
1646. J. Gregory, Notes & Observ. (1650), 93 (T.). Whosoever … shall set his Bed North and South shall beget male children…. Therefore the Jewes hold this Rite of Collocation … to this day.
1684. Boyle, Porousn. Anim. & Solid Bod., I. 1. The collocation of the Intervals and Pores.
1750. Harris, Hermes, II. iv. Wks. (1841), 197. The accusative … in modern languages … being subsequent to its verb, in the collocation of the words.
1751. Johnson, Rambler, No. 88, ¶ 5. The difference of harmony arising … from the collocation of vowels and consonants.
1813. Wellington, in Gurw., Disp., X. 81. The formation and collocation of magazines in the country in general.
1873. Earle, Philol. Eng. Tongue (ed. 2), § 630. All languages use greater freedom of collocation in poetry than in prose.
1881. J. Evans, Anc. Bronze Implem., 13. This collocation of various metals, or inlaying them by way of ornament.
b. quasi-concr.
1627–77. Feltham, Resolves, II. lxxix. 327. The dead collocations of some insensate Treasure.
1833. Chalmers, Const. Man (1835), I. v. 215. Just as palpable as those of a material collocation.
1834–47. Southey, Doctor, vi. (1862), 18. His rattling rhymes and quaint collocations.
† 2. Giving in marriage; = L. collocatio. rare.
1654. R. Codrington, trans. Hist. Ivstine, 143. If the father had not prevented his Son-in-law by the collocation of his daughter to him.
