Bates number

== English == === Etymology === Derived from Bates, the surname of the inventor of the first serial number-stamping machine. === Noun === Bates number (plural Bates numbers) (law) A number affixed to a document indicating its number in a series of documents, usually with respect to evidentiary documents being provided to the other party in a legal proceeding. ==== Synonyms ==== Bates stamp ==== Related terms ==== Bates numbering Bates stamping Bates branding Bates coding Bates labeling === Verb === Bates number (third-person singular simple present Bates numbers, present participle Bates numbering, simple past and past participle Bates numbered) To stamp or label documents with Bates numbers.