Collecting

Part of speech: verb, noun

Pronunciation: /kəˈlɛktɪŋ/

Definitions

1. The act of gathering or accumulating items or objects, typically of a similar kind
2. Bringing together a set of things, often for display, study, or personal interest
3. Assembling various objects or materials as part of a hobby or systematic activity

Etymology: "Collecting" is simply "collect" with the suffix "-ing" attached, and the source leaves open whether that ending is the gerund (a verb form working as a noun) or the participle (a verb form working as an adjective or part of a verb phrase). In practice the same spelling does both jobs: "collecting" names the activity in "her collecting kept her busy," and it describes the ongoing action in "he is collecting stamps." The verb "collect" itself comes from Latin "colligere," meaning to gather together, built from "com-" (together) and "legere" (to gather or choose). The idea of bringing scattered things into one place runs through the whole family, which is why the hobby sense, gathering objects with deliberate care, sits so naturally on top of the older sense of simply picking things up.

Synonyms: gathering, amassing, accumulating, assembling, hoarding

Antonyms: dispersing, scattering, dividing, dissipating, losing