资料来源 : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Collect \Col*lect"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Collected}; p. pr. &
   vb. n. {Collecting}.] [L. collecrus, p. p. of collerige to
   bind together; col- + legere to gather: cf. OF. collecter.
   See {Legend}, and cf. {Coil}, v. t., {Cull}, v. t.]
   1. To gather into one body or place; to assemble or bring
      together; to obtain by gathering.

            A band of men Collected choicely from each country.
                                                  --Shak.

            'Tis memory alone that enriches the mind, by
            preserving what our labor and industry daily
            collect.                              --Watts.

   2. To demand and obtain payment of, as an account, or other
      indebtedness; as, to collect taxes.

   3. To infer from observed facts; to conclude from premises.
      [Archaic.] --Shak.

            Which sequence, I conceive, is very ill collected.
                                                  --Locke.

   {To collect one's self}, to recover from surprise,
      embarrassment, or fear; to regain self-control.

   Syn: To gather; assemble; congregate; muster; accumulate;
        garner; aggregate; amass; infer; deduce.

资料来源 : WordNet®

collecting
     n : the act of gathering something together [syn: {collection},
         {assembling}, {aggregation}]