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| Date: | 1500-1600 |
| Language: | Latin |
| Origin: | , past participle of colligere, from com- ( COM-) + legere 'to gather' |
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col‧lect1 S1 W2
1 to get things of the same type from different places and bring them together [↪ collection, collector]: 
After 25 years of collecting recipes, she has compiled them into a cookbook.The company collects information about consumer trends. We've been out collecting signatures for our petition.
bring together
[transitive]After 25 years of collecting recipes, she has compiled them into a cookbook.The company collects information about consumer trends.We've been out collecting signatures for our petition.2 to get and keep objects of the same type, because you think they are attractive or interesting [↪ collection, collector]: Arlene collects teddy bears.
keep objects
[transitive]Arlene collects teddy bears.3 to get money that you are owed [↪ collector]
rent/debts/taxes
[transitive]4 to ask people to give you money or goods for an organization that helps people
money to help people
[intransitive and transitive]5 if something collects in a place, or you collect it there, it gradually increases in amount : Rain collected in pools on the road. solar panels for collecting energy from the sun
increase in amount
[intransitive and transitive]Rain collected in pools on the road.solar panels for collecting energy from the sun6 to receive something because you have won a race, game etc : Redgrave collected his fifth Olympic gold medal in Sydney.
win something
[transitive]Redgrave collected his fifth Olympic gold medal in Sydney.7 to make an effort to remain calm and think clearly and carefully about something : I got there early so I had a few minutes to collect my thoughts before the meeting began.
collect yourself/collect your thoughts
I got there early so I had a few minutes to collect my thoughts before the meeting began.8 to come to a particular place in order to take someone or something away [= pick up American English] Martin's gone to collect the children from school. I've got to go and collect the book I ordered from the library.
take somebody/something from a place
[transitive] especially British EnglishMartin's gone to collect the children from school.I've got to go and collect the book I ordered from the library.9 to come together gradually to form a group of people : A crowd was beginning to collect around the scene of the accident.
crowd
[intransitive] formalA crowd was beginning to collect around the scene of the accident.collect something ↔ up
phrasal verbCan you collect up all the dirty plates and cups?
