collector
UK: kəˈlɛktə | US: kəˈlɛktər
n. a person who collects things of a specified type as a hobby or profession
n. a device or component that gathers or concentrates something (e.g., solar collector)
n. (historical) an official appointed to collect taxes or other payments
collector = collect<gather> + or<agent noun suffix>
- collect: From Latin collectus (past participle of colligere, "to gather"), combining com- (together) + legere (to gather).
- or: A suffix of Latin origin indicating a person or thing that performs an action (e.g., actor, creator).
Etymology Origin:
The word collector emerged in Late Middle English (15th century) from the Latin collector, meaning "one who gathers." The root collect reflects the act of bringing items together, while the suffix -or assigns agency, turning the verb into a noun for the person or device performing the action. This logical progression—from action to actor—is common in English, especially for Latin-derived terms.
She is an avid stamp collector with over 5,000 rare pieces.
The museum hired a new art collector to expand its modern collection.
Solar panels act as energy collectors by absorbing sunlight.
In ancient Rome, tax collectors were often unpopular figures.
The garbage collector arrives every Monday morning.