Emily Dickinson Lexicon

COL-LECT', v.t. [L. colligo, collectum; con and lego, to gather; Gr. λεγω.]

1. To gather, as separate persons or things, into one body or place; to assemble or bring together; as, to collect men into an army; to collect ideas; to collect particulars into one sum.
2. To gain by observation or information; as, from all that can be collected, the public peace will not soon be interrupted.
3. To gather from premises; to infer as a consequence. Which consequence, I conceive, is very ill collected. – Locke.
4. To gather money or revenue from debtors; to demand and receive; as, to collect taxes; to collect the customs; to collect accounts, or debts.
5. To gather, as crops; to reap, mow or pick, and secure in proper repositories; as, to collect hay, corn or fruits.
6. To draw together; to bring into united action; as, to collect all the strength, or all the powers of the mind.
7. To obtain from contribution. To collect one's self, is to recover from surprise, or a disconcerted state; to gain command over the thoughts, when dispersed; over the passions, when tumultuous; or the mind, when dismayed. – Shak. Milton.