tabulate
UK: ˈtæbjʊleɪt | US: ˈtæbjəleɪt
vt. to arrange or organize data in a table or systematic format
vt. to count, record, or list systematically
n. (rare) a tablet or flat surface
tabulate = tabl<flat surface/table> + ate<verb suffix>
- tabl (from Latin tabula meaning "board, tablet, list")
- ate (verb-forming suffix indicating action, from Latin -atus)
Etymology Origin:
The word "tabulate" traces back to the Latin tabula (a flat board or writing tablet), which evolved into tabulare (to make into a table). In English, it initially referred to physical tablets but shifted to abstract "tabular" data organization by the 18th century. The suffix -ate standardizes it as a verb, reflecting systematic action—like flattening information into structured rows and columns.
Scientists tabulate experimental results to identify patterns.
The census bureau will tabulate population data next month.
Ancient scribes used wax tablets to tabulate accounts.
Spreadsheet software helps tabulate large datasets efficiently.
The committee asked to tabulate votes before announcing the winner.