gather
♦♦ gath|er /g'æðər/ (gathers gathering gathered)
1 [VERB] V prep/adv, V n with together
If people gather somewhere or if someone gathers people somewhere, they come together in a group.
In the evenings, we gathered around the fireplace and talked...
The man signalled for me to gather the children together.
= assemble, collect
2 [VERB] V n, V n together
If you gather things, you collect them together so that you can use them.
I suggest we gather enough firewood to last the night...
She stood up and started gathering her things together.
= collect
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P
Gather up means the same as gather.
When Sutcliffe had gathered up his papers, he went out...
He gathered the leaves up off the ground.
3 [VERB] V n
If you gather information or evidence, you collect it, especially over a period of time and after a lot of hard work.
...a private detective using a hidden tape recorder to gather information...
= collect, amass
4 [VERB] V n, V n
If something gathers speed, momentum, or force, it gradually becomes faster or more powerful.
Demands for his dismissal have gathered momentum in recent weeks...
The raft gathered speed as the current dragged it toward the falls.
= gain
5 [VERB] V n
When you gather something such as your strength, courage, or thoughts, you make an effort to prepare yourself to do something.
You must gather your strength for the journey.
= muster
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), also V n P
Gather up means the same as gather.
She was gathering up her courage to approach him when he called to her.
6 [VERB] V that, V n, V n
You use gather in expressions such as `I gather' and `as far as I can gather' to introduce information that you have found out, especially when you have found it out in an indirect way.
I gather his report is highly critical of the trial judge...
`He speaks English,' she said to Graham. `I gathered that.'...
From what I could gather, he was trying to raise money by organising festivals.
7
to gather dust: see dustgather up
see gather 2, 5
1 [VERB] V prep/adv, V n with together
If people gather somewhere or if someone gathers people somewhere, they come together in a group.
In the evenings, we gathered around the fireplace and talked...
The man signalled for me to gather the children together.
= assemble, collect
2 [VERB] V n, V n together
If you gather things, you collect them together so that you can use them.
I suggest we gather enough firewood to last the night...
She stood up and started gathering her things together.
= collect
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P
Gather up means the same as gather.
When Sutcliffe had gathered up his papers, he went out...
He gathered the leaves up off the ground.
3 [VERB] V n
If you gather information or evidence, you collect it, especially over a period of time and after a lot of hard work.
...a private detective using a hidden tape recorder to gather information...
= collect, amass
4 [VERB] V n, V n
If something gathers speed, momentum, or force, it gradually becomes faster or more powerful.
Demands for his dismissal have gathered momentum in recent weeks...
The raft gathered speed as the current dragged it toward the falls.
= gain
5 [VERB] V n
When you gather something such as your strength, courage, or thoughts, you make an effort to prepare yourself to do something.
You must gather your strength for the journey.
= muster
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), also V n P
Gather up means the same as gather.
She was gathering up her courage to approach him when he called to her.
6 [VERB] V that, V n, V n
You use gather in expressions such as `I gather' and `as far as I can gather' to introduce information that you have found out, especially when you have found it out in an indirect way.
I gather his report is highly critical of the trial judge...
`He speaks English,' she said to Graham. `I gathered that.'...
From what I could gather, he was trying to raise money by organising festivals.
7
to gather dust: see dustgather up
see gather 2, 5