Collins English-English Dictionary

gather ['gæðə]

1. 1. vb to assemble or cause to assemble

2. 2. vb to collect or be collected gradually; muster

3. 3. vt. [tr] to learn from information given; conclude or assume

4. 4. vt. [tr] to pick or harvest (flowers, fruit, etc)

5. 5. vt. [tr; foll by to or into] to clasp or embrace

   the mother gathered the child into her arms

6. 6. vt. [tr] to bring close (to) or wrap (around)

   she gathered her shawl about her shoulders

7. 7. vt. to increase or cause to increase gradually, as in force, speed, intensity, etc

8. 8. vt. to contract (the brow) or (of the brow) to become contracted into wrinkles; knit

9. 9. vt. [tr] to assemble (sections of a book) in the correct sequence for binding

10. 10. vt. [tr] to collect by making a selection

11. 11. vt. [tr] to prepare or make ready

    to gather one's wits

12. 12. vt. to draw (material) into a series of small tucks or folds by passing a thread through it and then pulling it tight

13. 13. vi. [intr] (of a boil or other sore) to come to a head; form pus

14. 14. n the act of gathering

15. 15. n the amount gathered

16. 16. n a small fold in material, as made by a tightly pulled stitch; tuck

17. 17. n an informal name for section

18. 18. n [Etymology] Old English gadrian; related to Old Frisian gaderia, Middle Low German gaderen