Collins English-English Dictionary

collect [kə'lεkt]

1. 1. vb to gather together or be gathered together

2. 2. vb to accumulate (stamps, books, etc) as a hobby or for study

3. 3. vt. [tr] to call for or receive payment of (taxes, dues, etc)

4. 4. vt. [tr] to regain control of (oneself, one's emotions, etc) as after a shock or surprise

   he collected his wits

5. 5. vt. [tr] to fetch; pick up

   collect your own post

   he collected the children after school

6. 6. vi. [intr; sometimes foll by on] [slang] to receive large sums of money, as from an investment

   he really collected when the will was read

7. 7. vt. [tr] [Austral and NZ] [informal] to collide with; be hit by

8. 8. vt. the US term for cash on delivery

9. 9. adj [US] (of telephone calls) on a reverse-charge basis

10. 10. n [Austral] [informal] a winning bet

11. 11. n [Etymology] C16: from Latin collectus collected, from colligere to gather together, from com- together + legere to gather

collect ['kɑlεkt]

1. 1. n [Christianity] a short Church prayer generally preceding the lesson or epistle in Communion and other services

2. 2. n [Etymology] C13: from Medieval Latin collecta (from the phrase oratio ad collectam prayer at the (people's) assembly), from Latin colligere to collect¹