recollect Hear it!

recollect Definition

rec·ol·lect (rek′ə lekt′)

transitive verb

  1. to call back to mind; recall; remember, esp. with some effort
  2. to recall to (oneself) something temporarily forgotten

Etymology: < L recollectus: see re-collect

intransitive verb

to have a recollection; remember

recollect Synonyms

recollect

v.

recall, bring to mind, look back on; see remember 1.

recollect Usage Examples

Object

  • emotion: Coleridge realizes that poetry works in exactly the same way, and comes up with his notion of emotion recollected in tranquility.
  • anything: She particularly stressed being unable to recollect anything about a film called Gigli.
  • memory: Like a dream, you usually only remember the best bits; recollecting those memories that are most poignant.
  • event: Both women denied the shoplifting charges saying they were drunk and could not recollect events.
  • time: Even mention of the book has me recollecting the time I researched the older areas of the town.
  • something: Reaching home he seemed to recollect something with a sour satisfaction.

Modifying Another Word

  • vividly: He looks back and just vividly recollects - sometimes with humor - his role in the revolution.
  • vaguely: She could recollect only vaguely the staff nurse saying to her that a patient was to be discharged who should not be.
  • suddenly: Then, as if suddenly recollecting something that had escaped him, he returned to his seat.
  • ever: Dear Jane, how shall we ever recollect half the dishes for grandmama?
  • well: I recollect very well reading the first number of T. P. O'Connor's Star ( that was in 1888 ).
  • not: I do not recollect of ever seeing my mother by the light of day.

Used with why or when

  • who: I was much afraid, and had lost my senses, so I cannot recollect who tied me.
  • what: I cannot recollect what they were called or where to find them.
  • when: I recollect well when the western portion was adorned with its beautiful iron railings.
  • where: Quite often, those who are diagnosed with pleural plaques do not initially recollect where they had asbestos exposure.

Present participle complement

  • see: I can never recollect seeing a local policeman walking around.
  • have: On the contrary, I can never recollect having seen him in such exuberant spirits.

Preposition: in

tranquility: William Wordsworth described it as " emotions recollected in tranquility " .

Preposition: with

admiration: I have been involved with the Hansard Society for many years and recollect with admiration the foresight and energy of its founder Stephen King-Hall.