collecting Definition

collect¹
verb collected, collecting

tr & intr
1. To bring or be brought together; to gather.

Thesaurus: congregate, assemble, gather, flock.
2. To build up a collection of things of a particular type because of a interest in or enthusiasm for them.

Example: collect stamps
Thesaurus: accumulate, amass, assemble, acquire, consolidate.
3. To call for someone or something; to fetch; to pick up.

Example: I'll collect you in the evening
tr & intr
4. To get something from people, eg money owed or voluntary contributions, etc.

Example: offered to collect for Oxfam
Thesaurus: solicit, raise, secure.
5. To calm or control oneself; to get one's thoughts, etc under control.

adj

(N Amer, especially US)
1. Said of a telephone call: paid for by the person receiving it.

adverb

(N Amer, especially US)
1. Reversing the charges.

Etymology: 16c: from Latin collectus, past participle of colligere to gather.