glean
UK[ɡliːn]US[ɡliːn]
v
To collect information or material gradually and with difficulty from various sources.
v
To gather leftover grain or other produce after a harvest.
Etymology
The word 'glean' entered English from the Old French 'glener', which meant to glean. This Old French term derived from the Late Latin 'glennare', a word of Gaulish (Celtic) origin. The core concept has always been one of careful, selective gathering, specifically referring to the agricultural practice of collecting grain left behind by reapers. Over time, this literal sense of gathering leftover crops was metaphorically extended to the diligent and often laborious collection of information, facts, or knowledge from scattered sources, preserving the nuance of extracting value from what others have passed over.
Analysis
This is a simplex word of Old French origin, ultimately from Late Latin. It does not contain separable, meaningful morphemes in its modern English spelling.
Examples
Historians glean details about everyday life from personal letters and diaries.
The volunteers helped to glean the field after the main harvest was complete.
From his vague comments, I managed to glean that he was not happy with the decision.