COLLECTING

To gather together; amass.

Example: "Suzanne collected all the papers she had laid out."

To get; particularly, get from someone.

Example: "A bank collects a monthly payment on a client's new car loan.   a mortgage company collects a monthly payment on a house."

To accumulate (a number of similar or related objects), particularly for a hobby or recreation.

Example: "I don't think he collects as much as hoards."

To form a conclusion; to deduce, infer. (compare gather, get.)

(often with on or against) to collect payments.

Example: "He had a lot of trouble collecting on that bet he made."

To come together in a group or mass.

Example: "The rain collected in puddles."

To infer; to conclude.

(of a vehicle or driver) to collide with or crash into (another vehicle or obstacle).

Example: "The truck veered across the central reservation and collected a car that was travelling in the opposite direction."