differences - Sortation vs Sorting?


Is there any significant difference between sortation and sorting?


Amazon's local distribution center is called "Amazon Sortation Center". I hadn't seen sortation used before.



Answer



Sortation does exist, but means exactly the same as sorting. The OED has a page or so of explanation of the -ation and -tion suffixes, ending



words in which -ation is, or seems to be, merely added to the verb, are synonymous with the verbal substantive in -ing; already in 17th c. the use of vexation, visitation, etc. instead of vexing, visiting, etc. (flirtation, starvation had not yet been heard of) was ridiculed thus: T. Randolph Amyntas i. iii. 9 in Poems (1638) The. But what languages Doe they speake, servant? Mop. Several languages, As Cawation, Chirpation, Hootation. Whistleation, Crowation, Cackleation, Shreekation, Hissation. The. And Fooleation.



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