Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
COLLECT
I. noun
Etymology: Middle English collecte, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin collecta (short for oratio ad collectam prayer upon assembly), from Late Latin, assembly, from Latin, assemblage, from feminine of collectus
Date: 13th century
a short prayer comprising an invocation, petition, and conclusion, collection ,
II. verb see: legend
Date: 1563
transitive verb
1. to bring together into one body or place, to gather or exact from a number of persons or sources , to gather an accumulation of (objects) especially as a hobby , infer , deduce , to gain or regain control of , to claim as due and receive payment for, to get and bring with one, intransitive verb to come together in a band, group, or mass ; gather ,
2. to collect objects, to receive payment , see: gather
III. adverb or adjective
Date: 1893
to be paid for by the receiver