Calibration and collaboration are two words that are close in spelling and pronunciation and may be considered confusables. We will examine the different meanings of the confusables calibration and collaboration, the word origins of the terms, and some examples of their English usage in sentences.
Calibration is the act of assessing or correlating an instrument or readings to make sure they are accurate and standardized. The word calibration is the noun form of the verb, calibrate; both words came into use in the mid-1800s and are derived from the French word, calibre, meaning the inside diameter of a gun. Related words are calibrate, calibrates, calibrated, calibrating, calibrator.
Collaboration means the act of working with others on a project or creating something in conjunction with others. The word collaboration is the noun form of the verb, collaborate; related words are collaborates, collaborated, collaborating, collaborative, collaboratively, collaborator. During World War II, collaborate also came to mean to cooperate with the enemy, as a back-formation of collaborator. Collaborate comes from the Late Latin word, collabōrāre, meaning to come together or to work together.
Examples
True ADAS calibration professionals realize that every requirement and instruction set forth by the vehicle OE is there for reason and that shortcuts have no business being taken on the shop floor. (Collision Repair Magazine)
This calibration allows quasars to be used as standardized candles. (Oxford Academic Journals)
“I should also note that the Aukus discussion is a further indication of the growing depth of collaboration … between our two nations and the UK,” he said. (The Guardian)
WHO chief expects collaboration of China, others on virus origins follow-up (Reuters)
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