collected
UK: kəˈlɛktɪd | US: kəˈlɛktɪd
adj. 1. Gathered together; assembled.
adj. 2. Calm and composed in manner.
vt. 3. (past tense of "collect") To bring or gather things together.
collected = col<together> + lect<gather> + ed<past participle suffix>
- col<together>: From Latin "com-" (together), assimilated to "col-" before "l."
- lect<gather>: From Latin "legere" (to gather, choose), seen in words like "select" or "elect."
- ed<past participle suffix>: Marks the past tense or adjective form in English.
Etymology Origin:
The word "collected" traces back to Latin roots, combining "col-" (intensifying "together") and "lect" (from "legere," meaning to gather or pick). Originally used literally for gathering objects, it later evolved metaphorically to describe a composed mental state (as if one's thoughts are "gathered together"). The suffix "-ed" solidifies its role as a past participle or adjective.
She collected seashells along the beach.
He remained collected during the crisis.
The data was collected over three years.
Her collected works were published posthumously.
Despite the chaos, his voice was calm and collected.