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Pass near end of stage to set sequence (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

collate

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'set sequence' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to thinking as well as being verbs in their base form.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'pass near end of stage to' is the wordplay.
'pass' becomes 'col' (col is a term for a mountain pass).
'near' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'end of' says to take the final letters.
'to' becomes 'lat' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
The last letter of 'stage' is 'e'.
'e' put after 'lat' is 'late'.
'col'+'late'='COLLATE'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for collate that I've seen before include "sort out" , "Arrange (papers)" , "Bring together and arrange" , "Compare and analyse (two or more sources)" , "Assemble in sequence" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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