Dictionary

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.)

To be paid for by the recipient, as a telephone call or a shipment.

Example: It was to be a collect delivery, but no-one was available to pay.

With payment due from the recipient.

Example: I had to call collect.

The prayer said before the reading of the epistle lesson, especially one found in a prayerbook, as with the Book of Common Prayer.

Example: He used the day's collect as the basis of his sermon.