gather

/'gæðə/
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Thân thiện
gather

The children gather colorful autumn leaves in the park.

Definition
  1. Verb:

    • To bring together and take in from scattered places or sources: To collect or accumulate things, often by picking them up or bringing them to one place.
    • To come together; to assemble or accumulate: For people or things to meet or come together in one group or location.
    • To understand or conclude from evidence or information: To infer or deduce something based on what is seen, heard, or read.
    • To draw together or pucker (fabric) by pulling a thread: In sewing, to create small folds in cloth.
  2. Noun:

    • The act or process of gathering: An instance of people or things coming together.
    • A fold or pucker in fabric, especially one of a series in a garment: A part of a piece of clothing that is folded or pleated.
Usage Examples
  • Verb:

    • We will gather the team for a meeting at noon. (We will bring the team members together.)
    • Storm clouds began to gather on the horizon. (Storm clouds started to form and come together.)
    • From her tone, I gather she is not pleased. (From her tone, I conclude she is not pleased.)
    • She used a needle to gather the fabric at the waist. (She used a needle to create small folds in the fabric.)
  • Noun:

    • The annual family gather is always a joyful event. (The annual family assembly is always a joyful event.)
    • The dress has a beautiful gather at the neckline. (The dress has a beautiful series of small folds at the neckline.)
Advanced Usage
  • "To gather speed/momentum": To gradually increase in speed or force.

    • The project began to gather momentum after the initial funding was secured. (The project began to develop more force and progress.)
  • "To gather one's thoughts/strength": To take a moment to collect one's ideas or to summon one's energy.

    • He paused to gather his thoughts before answering the difficult question. (He paused to collect his ideas.)
  • "To gather dust": To remain unused for a long time.

    • The old books have been gathering dust in the attic. (The old books have been sitting unused.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Gathering (n): An assembly or meeting of people.
    • The town hall gathering was well attended.
  • Gatherer (n): A person who collects things.
    • In ancient times, a gatherer would collect berries and roots.
Synonyms
  • Assemble: To bring together.
  • Collect: To bring items together from various places.
  • Conclude: To form an opinion based on reasoning.
  • Infer: To deduce information from evidence.
Related Phrasal Verbs
  • Gather around: To come together around a person or thing.
    • The children gathered around the teacher to hear the story.
  • Gather up: To collect things together, often to tidy or remove them.
    • Please gather up your belongings before you leave.
Related Idioms
  • Rolling stone gathers no moss: A person who does not settle in one place will not accumulate responsibilities, wealth, or sometimes, experience. (Often used to imply that constant change prevents stability or growth.)
    • He changes jobs every year—a rolling stone gathers no moss.
  • To be gathered to one's fathers: A literary or old-fashioned expression meaning to die.
    • He lived a long life before being gathered to his fathers.
gather

The children gather colorful autumn leaves in the park.

Noun
  1. the act of gathering something
  2. sewing consisting of small folds or puckers made by pulling tight a thread in a line of stitching
Verb
  1. increase or develop
    • the peace movement gained momentum
    • the car gathers speed
  2. look for (food) in nature
    • Our ancestors gathered nuts in the Fall
  3. draw and bring closer
    • she gathered her shawl around her shoulders
  4. get people together
    • assemble your colleagues
    • get together all those who are interested in the project
    • gather the close family members
  5. draw together into folds or puckers
  6. conclude from evidence
    • I gather you have not done your homework
  7. collect or gather
    • Journals are accumulating in my office
    • The work keeps piling up
  8. collect in one place
    • We assembled in the church basement
    • Let's gather in the dining room
  9. assemble or get together
    • gather some stones
    • pull your thoughts together