to get and keep things of one type such as stamps or coins as a hobby

She collects dolls. 她收藏玩具娃娃。

So when did you start collecting antique glass? 那你是从什么时候开始收集古董玻璃制品的？

to go to a place and bring someone or something away from it

Your shoes will be repaired and ready for you to collect on Thursday. 你的鞋子星期四会修好，到时可以来取。

I'll collect you from the station. 我会去车站接你。

to bring something together from different places or over a period of time

After the party I collected (up) bottles from various parts of the house. 聚会后我把房屋各处的瓶子都收在一起。

These china ornaments just collect dust. 这些瓷器摆在那儿只会招灰尘。

to ask people to give you money for something, for example a charity

We're collecting (money) for the homeless. 我们正在为无家可归的人士募捐。

to take money such as taxes, rents, etc.

The state collected about $1.2 million in taxes in January. 一月份州政府收取的税金为120万美元。

to come together from different places or over a period of time

A large crowd of reporters collected outside the prime minister's house. 一大群记者聚集在首相府前。

Rainwater collects in the barrel in the garden. 雨水收集在花园里的大桶里。

to get control of your feelings and thoughts, especially after shock, surprise, or laughter

I was so stunned by what he'd said I had to collect myself before I could reply. 他的话惊得我目瞪口呆，我定了定神才答上话。

Before describing the impact of his wife's death on their children, he paused to collect himself.

If you feel scared, take a breath, collect yourself, and move on.

This is a place where people can come to sit quietly and collect their thoughts.

You can see by her expression that she's collecting her thoughts.

a short prayer that is said during some Christian religious ceremonies

When you call collect or make a collect phone call, the person you call pays for the call.

I'd like to make a collect call. 我想打一个对方付费的电话。

She called me collect. 她给我打了电话，由我付话费。