collect
/kəˈlɛkt/
verb
Origin
Latin
colligere — to gather together
Overview
Meaning Now
- To gather together or assemble things from different places or sources.
- To call for and receive payment of a debt, tax, or other amount.
Literal older meaning
to gather together
Language path
Latin → Middle French → English
Earliest form
collecten
Earliest period
14th century
Journey
The root 'legere' was highly productive in Latin, leading to various English terms related to choosing or gathering, such as 'select' (choose out), 'elect' (choose), and 'lecture' (something read or gathered).
Evolution
- Latin
colligere
“to gather together”
Composed of 'com-' (together) + 'legere' (to gather/pick).
- Old French
collecter
“to assemble, to gather”
- Middle English
collecten
“to gather together or summon”
- Early Modern English
collect
“to gather, to deduce, to infer”
Connections
Word parts
col-
prefix
together
lect
root
to gather/pick
Related across languages
French
cueillir
to gather/pluck
Spanish
coger
to take/grasp/gather
Explore next
Related to collect
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.