To bring things or people together into one place, or to slowly collect information or ideas.
From Old English *gætherian* meaning “to unite, collect, assemble.” Related to words in other Germanic languages that also mean “to bring together.” Over time it expanded from physical collecting to mental and social collecting, like gathering thoughts or friends.
When you ‘gather’ your thoughts, your brain is doing the same job as your hands when you gather flowers: pulling scattered things into one bunch. This is why ‘gathering’ can be about people, objects, or even information. The core idea is always: scattered → together.
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