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collect1 definition

col·lect (kə lekt′)

transitive verb

  1. to gather together; assemble
  2. to gather (stamps, books, etc.) as a hobby
  3. to call for and receive (money) for (rent, a fund, taxes, bills, etc.)
  4. to regain control of (oneself or one's wits); summon up (one's faculties or powers)
  5. ☆ Now Chiefly Brit. to pick up; fetch

Etymology: ME collecten < OFr collecter < L collectus: see collect

intransitive verb

  1. to gather; assemble a crowd collected
  2. to accumulate water collects in the basement
  3. to collect payments, contributions, etc.

adjective, adverb

☆ with payment to be made by the receiver to telephone collect
collect2 definition

col·lect (käl′ekt′)

noun

a short prayer suitable to the time or occasion, used in certain church services, as before the Epistle at Mass

Etymology: ME & OFr collecte < LL collecta, a gathering together of ideas from the day's reading < L, a gathering, contribution of money < collectus, pp. of colligere < com-, together + legere, to gather < IE base *le-, to collect > leech

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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