Why I'm asking

@Xanne asks "Does this really have to do with the English language?" Yes. I seek an English language verb. If you, dear reader, find it confusing that the following mentions another language, please imagine this other language is Martian and I'm just trying to describe in English a thing that happens on Mars, but is known to also occur on Earth.

There is a particular non-English language (actually a computer programming language), where one can write the instructions:

Basket-One    =  list   loaf, cabbage, pineapple ;
Basket-Two    =  list   Basket-One ;
Basket-Three  =  item   Basket-One ;

The result of writing (and "computing") this that:

• Basket-One contains three items;

• So does Basket-Two;

• Basket-Three contains one item, the item Basket-One.

According to this programming language's documentation explaining this feature, Basket-Three contains just one item because the term item in item Basket-One ('item' in this context is unambiguously a technical term) has the effect of "itemizing" Basket-One.

This usage of "itemizing" occurs in what I consider an English prose context (tutorial documentation describing the programming language feature). But it seems like it has the exact opposite meaning to the English usage I'm familiar with. It's not clear if "itemizing" in this context is being used as a technical term or a regular English term, but either way, the goal of this question is to find a replacement English language word that doesn't have the weird characteristic of potentially/actually meaning the exact opposite of the technical meaning.

What I've found

Consider the two dictionary.com definitions of "itemize":

1. list the individual units or parts of

2. list as an item or separate part

I'm thinking that, assuming the verb's object is given in a singular form:

• Definition #1 is about immediately individually listing the items within the item that's the object of the verb.

• Definition #2 is about immediately listing only one item, the singular item that's the object off the verb.

Main Question

1. What's the best word for denoting "treat as a single item" in the specific context I describe?

To help clarify what I'm asking, I'll present some more questions. (If someone has time, I'd appreciate answers to some/all of these more detailed questions, but they are subsidiary to my formal question.)

• Do most native English speakers recognize two (or more) meanings for "itemize"? Is one meaning dominant and the other(s) rare? What about non-native speakers?

• Do you think I'm right about the meaning of the second dictionary.com definition? If not, what is the meaning of the second definition?

• Are there yet more definitions of "itemize" beyond the two that dictionary.com lists?

• Am I right that the meaning of dictionary.com's second definition emerged from usage of "itemize" in instructions on US (or UK?) tax forms?

• Does the second definition always imply that the first definition also applies to the composite object, just elsewhere than the immediate listing context?

Non-exhaustive candidate list

Assuming that English definitions of "itemize" contradict the usage I've covered in Why I'm asking, what do you think that better single word might best be:

• itemify

• itemate

• item

• individualize

• singlify (a neologism I just made up)

• scalarize

• some-other-word?

"To emphasize the need to treat a potentially composite thing as a single item, when a common thing would be to treat that composite thing as the list of constituent items that comprise it, ________ it".

Thank you in advance for any and all answers or comments. :)

Do most native English speakers recognize two (or more) meanings for "itemize"? Is one meaning dominant and the other(s) rare? What about non-native speakers?

At least here in the U.S., I think most speakers would recognize a sense — call it 'sense A' — whereby the direct object is a singular noun denoting a totality that can be broken down into items, as when we itemize a list or a receipt (or, obviously, a plural noun denoting multiple such totalities).

I also think most U.S. speakers would recognize a sense — call it 'sense B' — whereby the direct object is a plural noun denoting such a totality, as when we itemize our expenses or our tax deductions — not necessarily because this is a distinct sense, but simply because it's perfectly natural in English to use a plural noun to refer to a single totality. (For example, "he shared his M&Ms with her" does not mean that they shared each individual M&M!)

Some U.S. speakers would also recognize a sense — call it 'sense C' — whereby the direct object is a singular noun denoting an item resulting from breaking down such a totality (or, obviously, a plural noun denoting multiple such items), as when we itemize a certain tax deduction. I think this sense originated as a backformation from the second sense; speakers who have this sense would probably be surprised that I felt the need to distinguish it from that one. But personally, I find this sense rather awkward, and Google searches suggest that it's quite rare compared to the others.

Do you think I'm right about the meaning of the second dictionary.com definition? If not, what is the meaning of the second definition?

That definition sounds like it's trying to define sense C, but since sense C seems to be quite rare, and the example sentence works perfectly for sense B, my best guess is that it's trying to define sense B in a way that also works for sense C.

In either case, I don't think it covers the usage you give as your motivation, since that usage does not involve breaking down a totality.

Are there yet more definitions of "itemize" beyond the two that dictionary.com lists?

Well, you've given a usage that's apparently a different sense: "itemize" meaning "create an 'item' from". :-)

Am I right that the meaning of dictionary.com's second definition emerged from usage of "itemize" in instructions on US (or UK?) tax forms?

If their definition refers to my sense B, then I doubt it.

If it refers to sense C, then I don't know, but it would certainly make sense: "itemize" is accounting jargon, and tax forms are most Americans' greatest source of exposure to accounting jargon. It's very common, in all fields, for non-specialists to adopt jargon and use it in related ways that specialists might feel strange about.

Does the second definition always imply that the first definition also applies to the composite object, just elsewhere than the immediate listing context?

I'm sorry, I don't understand this question.

[…] what do you think that better single word might best be: ¶ […]

This question is probably too subjective for this site, but personally I think any of your suggestions would be fine. Another option is to introduce a hyphen ("item-ize").

If you're looking for a word that means to treat a collection of items as a single item in a separate collection, there are various options that might be less ambiguous than itemize. However, in a computer science context, some of these words have already been adopted with other technical meanings, so you'd want to consider each option carefully.

All definitions from Oxford English Dictionary:

• Aggregate

v. To gather into one whole or mass; to collect together, assemble; to mass.

The thing to be careful about with aggregate is that it has a somewhat different technical definition in data science, where it can refer to functions such as sum or average.

• Agglomerate

v. To gather (separate particles or elements) together into a single mass or group; to collect in an unassimilated or disorderly way; to cluster, heap, or bind together.

This word would be a fine choice if you don't mind that it's a little clunkier than itemize.

• Coalesce

v. To bring together, merge; to combine (parts or elements) to form one whole.

Coalesce would be an excellent option that clearly expresses the meaning you're looking for. In some cases, it might be confusing in a Computer Science context only if it were mistaken for other uses of the word, such as the coalesce function in SQL.

If you're looking for a term that's concise and clear, any of the following words would fit your needs as well.

• Lump

v. To put altogether in one ‘lump’, mass, sum, or group, without discrimination or regard for particulars or details; to take, consider, or deal with ‘in the lump’.

• Group

v. To bring together as a group, to make a group of; to position (people or things) close together so as to form a collective unity. Also with together.

• Fuse

v. 1.c. fig. Often with the sense: To blend intimately, amalgamate, unite into one whole, as by melting together.