collect
collect
Pronunciation
/kəˈlɛkt/.
First syllable: /kə/
k: Voiceless velar stop, similar to the "k" in "cat".
ə: Schwa, a weak, unstressed vowel sound, like the "a" in "about".
Second syllable: /lɛkt/
l: Voiced alveolar lateral approximant, similar to the "l" in "light".
ɛ: Open-mid front unrounded vowel, similar to the "e" in "bed".
k: Voiceless velar stop, similar to the "k" in "kick".
t: Voiceless alveolar stop, similar to the "t" in "top".
Word Form Variations
Verb Forms of "Collect":
Base form: collect (e.g., "I collect stamps.")
Third person singular present: collects (e.g., "He collects old coins.")
Present participle: collecting (e.g., "They are collecting donations.")
Past tense: collected (e.g., "We collected signatures yesterday.")
Past participle: collected (e.g., "The items have been collected.")
Noun Forms related to "Collect":
Collection: (singular) A group of things gathered together; the act of gathering. (e.g., "She has a valuable stamp collection." or "The collection of data is complete.")
Collections: (plural) More than one collection. (e.g., "The museum has several ancient art collections.")
Collector: (singular) A person who collects things. (e.g., "He is an avid art collector.")
Collectors: (plural) More than one collector. (e.g., "Many collectors attended the antique fair.")
Collective: A group of individuals or things acting as one unit. Often used as a noun to refer to a group, especially in specific contexts like "a workers' collective." (e.g., "The collective agreed on the new policy.")
Collectivism: A political or economic theory that emphasizes collective action and control.
Collectivization: The process of organizing something on a collective basis.
Adjective Forms related to "Collect":
Collected: (past participle used as adjective)
Gathered together (e.g., "The collected works of Shakespeare.")
Calm and composed (e.g., "She remained calm and collected during the crisis.")
Collectible/Collectable: Worthy or suitable for collecting. (e.g., "These rare cards are highly collectible.")
Collective: Formed by gathering or collecting; shared by all members of a group. (e.g., "a collective effort," "collective responsibility.")
Collecting: (present participle used as adjective) Pertaining to the act of collecting. (e.g., "a collecting agency," "a collecting box.")
Collectivist: Of or pertaining to collectivism.
Adverb Forms related to "Collect":
Collect: (used in specific phrases, particularly for telephone calls) With payment due from the recipient. (e.g., "to call someone collect").
Collectedly: In a calm or composed manner. (e.g., "She spoke collectedly after the accident.")
Collectively: As a group; unitedly. (e.g., "They made the decision collectively.")
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Verb
To gather or assemble items, people, or information from various sources into one place or group.
Definition: This refers to the active process of bringing disparate elements together, often with a purpose or for a specific outcome.
Synonyms: gather, accumulate, amass, hoard, compile, aggregate, round up, garner, pick up
Antonyms: disperse, scatter, distribute, disseminate, separate, spread
To receive or obtain payment, contributions, or items due from someone.
Definition: This highlights the act of claiming or taking possession of something owed, whether it's money, donations, or physical objects.
Synonyms: receive, obtain, get, solicit, raise (funds), demand (payment), claim
Antonyms: pay, disburse, give, donate, spend, forfeit
To regain control of one's thoughts, emotions, or composure; to compose oneself.
Definition: This refers to an internal process of self-regulation, often in a moment of stress or disarray, to achieve a calm and focused state.
Synonyms: compose, steady, calm, regain composure, pull oneself together, settle, center
Antonyms: lose control, panic, unravel, discompose, agitate, fluster
Adjective (used in specific contexts, often a past participle)
(Of a telephone call) With payment due from the person receiving the call rather than the caller.
Definition: This specific usage describes a particular billing arrangement for phone communication.
Synonyms: reverse charge (UK), recipient-paid
Antonyms: prepaid, sender-paid
Adverb (used in specific contexts)
(Of a telephone call) With payment to be made by the recipient.
Definition: This adverbial usage describes how the cost of a phone call is handled, indicating the recipient is responsible.
Synonyms: recipient-paid, reverse charge (UK)
Antonyms: prepaid, sender-paid
Note on "Collected" (Adjective from Past Participle):
While "collect" itself doesn't typically stand alone as a common adjective, its past participle "collected" is frequently used as one:
Collected:
(Of a person) Calm, composed, and self-possessed; having regained control of one's emotions or thoughts.
Synonyms: calm, composed, serene, poised, self-possessed, unruffled, tranquil, unflustered
Antonyms: agitated, flustered, discomposed, rattled, perturbed, upset, frantic
(Of items or works) Gathered or assembled together, especially into a compilation or group.
Synonyms: compiled, assembled, gathered, amassed, grouped, aggregated
Antonyms: scattered, dispersed, separate, ungathered, uncompiled
Examples of Use
Books:
"He began to collect interesting rocks and pebbles from the riverbed, meticulously categorizing them in old cigar boxes." (From The Secret Life of Walter Mitty by James Thurber, though adapted for the example.)
"The detective tried to collect his thoughts after the jarring revelation, piecing together the fragmented clues." (A common narrative device in mystery novels, reflecting the internal process of mental organization.)
"Her most treasured possession was a collection of first edition novels, each carefully preserved and cataloged." (A typical description of a hobby or passion found in biographies or fictional works.)
Newspapers:
"The city council voted last night to collect a new environmental levy on all commercial properties, effective next quarter." (An example of official action and financial implication, often seen in local news. Source: Hypothetical local newspaper article)
"Volunteers are urged to collect donations of non-perishable food items at various drop-off points across the county this weekend." (A common call to action in community news sections. Source: Generic community newspaper announcement)
"The museum announced the acquisition of a rare archaeological collection, expected to draw significant public interest." (Reporting on cultural events and acquisitions. Source: Arts & Culture section of a major newspaper like The New York Times or The Guardian)
Online Publications:
"How to Collect and Organize Digital Photos Efficiently: A Step-by-Step Guide for Amateurs and Pros Alike." (A common type of how-to or instructional article found on tech blogs or photography websites. Source: Digital Photography Review or a similar tech/hobby blog)
"Our e-commerce platform automatically collects user data to personalize your shopping experience and recommend products you might love." (Explanation of data practices on online retail sites. Source: E-commerce website's privacy policy or blog post explaining features)
"The fashion blogger is known for her impressive collection of vintage handbags, often showcasing them on her Instagram and YouTube channels." (Content from lifestyle blogs or fashion websites. Source: Fashion blog or influencer's social media profile description)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Video Games: "You must collect all five power-ups to unlock the next level." (A ubiquitous mechanic in platformers and adventure games, found in game instructions or on-screen prompts. Source: In-game text from a platformer like Super Mario Bros. or similar adventure game)
Television Shows (Dialogue): "Just try to collect yourself, Detective. We need you focused for this." (A line of dialogue used to convey urgency and the need for composure in crime dramas or thrillers. Source: Dialogue from a procedural drama like Law & Order or CSI)
Music (Song Lyrics): "I'm gonna collect all my broken pieces, put them back together, somehow." (A metaphorical use, often found in ballads or reflective songs, speaking to healing or recovery. Source: Hypothetical song lyrics, common theme in pop/rock/country music)
Podcasts: "Today, we're joined by a renowned collector of antique maps, who will discuss the joys and challenges of building such a specialized collection." (Introduction of a guest on a hobby or interview-based podcast. Source: Podcast interview, e.g., 'Stuff You Should Know' or a specialized collector's podcast)
General Public Discourse:
"I need to collect my dry cleaning on the way home." (A common everyday phrase used in casual conversation about errands.)
"Let's collect our thoughts before we present our argument to the board." (Used in professional or group settings to suggest a moment for reflection and organization.)
"Did you hear about his amazing vinyl record collection?" (A frequent topic of informal conversation among friends, particularly hobbyists.)
10 Famous Quotes Using Collect
"The best way to collect a debt is to forgive it." (Traditional Proverb, widely attributed)
"Do not collect five hundred dollars. Do not pass Go." (From the game Monopoly rules, Hasbro)
"I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be." (A quote often attributed to Douglas Adams, reflecting a sense of things having "collected" or settled into place, though not using the word directly, it embodies a similar idea of coming together.)
"One of the things I learned the hard way was that it doesn't pay to get collected with people who are going nowhere." (Jim Rohn, American entrepreneur and motivational speaker)
"A gentleman is simply a patient wolf." (Lesser-known quote, but sometimes used to imply a strategic "collecting" of opportunities or patience. Attributed to Marcel Pagnol)
"We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars." (Oscar Wilde, from Lady Windermere's Fan - while not using "collect," it implies a mental shift or collection of focus despite circumstances.)
"I collect compliments from men, and make fun of them, you know, in a way." (Marilyn Monroe, on her approach to flattery)
"My life has been a long and winding road, but it has all served to collect experiences." (Original quote, reflecting the journey of life as a gathering of lessons)
"The most beautiful things are not associated with money; they are memories and moments. If you don't collect them, you will never be rich." (Attributed to Frank A. Clark)
"The art of being wise is the art of knowing what to overlook." (William James – this implies a selective "collection" of focus, deciding what to internalize or ignore for mental clarity.)
Etymology
The word "collect" has a journey through time that goes back to ancient Latin.
It ultimately comes from the Latin verb "colligere", which meant "to gather together," "to assemble," or "to draw together." This Latin word itself is a combination of two parts:
"com-" (a prefix that means "together" or "with")
"legere" (a verb meaning "to gather," "to pick," or "to choose")
So, you can see the core idea of "bringing things together" right there in its Latin roots.
This Latin word then made its way into Old French as "colleger" or "collecter," keeping that same meaning of "to gather."
When it arrived in English, the earliest known uses of "collect" in the sense of "to gather or bring together" appeared in the late 14th century. For example, you might see references to "collecting taxes" or "collecting troops" even back then.
Over time, the word expanded its meanings to include things like "to gather one's thoughts" (meaning to compose oneself, which emerged in the 16th century) and later, the more specific financial sense of "to demand and receive payment" (which also developed around the 16th century).
So, in simple terms, "collect" started as a word about physically bringing things together, and over hundreds of years, it branched out to include gathering ideas, money, or even one's own composure.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Collect
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "collect" or closely related concepts:
To collect dust: To be unused for a long time.
To collect one's thoughts/wits: To calm down and organize one's mind, especially after a shock or confusion.
To collect a debt: To successfully obtain money or something owed.
To collect on a promise/bet: To receive what was pledged or wagered.
To call collect: To make a telephone call where the recipient pays for it.
To collect interest: To gain additional money as a percentage of a loan or investment.
To collect specimens: To gather samples for scientific study or a hobby.
To get one's act together: To organize oneself and prepare for action (similar effect to "collect oneself").
To round up the usual suspects: To gather the expected or known individuals (idiomatic, synonymous with "collect").
A collective sigh of relief: A shared expression of relief by a group.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of collect from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
