collect
collect Lexical Profile
collect Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To bring or gather together things from different places, sources, or people.
"The research team traveled across the province to collect soil samples for laboratory analysis."
To request and receive payments, taxes, debts, or charitable contributions from people.
"Volunteers stood outside the community center to collect donations for the local food bank."
To systematically seek and acquire items of a particular type as a hobby or for study.
"Her grandfather began to collect vintage postage stamps and rare coins when he was a young boy."
British To go to a place and fetch someone or something that is waiting.
"Could you please collect the children from school this afternoon while I finish my appointment?"
To regain control over one's thoughts, emotions, or composure after a shock or distraction.
"She took a deep breath to collect her thoughts before stepping onto the stage to address the audience."
• adjective
North American Paid for by the person receiving it rather than the sender or caller (used of a telephone call, telegram, or package delivery).
"Before mobile phones were common, travelers often had to make a collect call from a payphone to reach their parents."
• adverb
North American In a manner whereby the charges are paid by the recipient of a telephone call or shipment.
"Because she had run out of change at the train station, she had to call home collect."
• noun
A short, structured liturgical prayer appointed for a particular day or occasion in Western Christian worship services, typically preceding the epistle reading.
"The priest chanted the opening collect for the first Sunday of Advent before the congregation sat down for the readings."
Word Nuance & Usage
Notice the stress shift based on part of speech: the verb, adjective, and adverb are pronounced with stress on the second syllable (kuh-LEKT), whereas the liturgical noun is pronounced with stress on the first syllable (KOL-ekt).
• Rhymes for collect
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
As a verb, it comes via Old French from Latin 'colligere', formed from 'com-' (together) and 'legere' (to gather or read). The liturgical noun derives independently via Old French from Medieval Latin 'collecta' (a gathering or assembly for prayer).