recollect
UK[ˌrekəˈlekt]US[ˌrekəˈlekt]
v
To remember something, especially by making an effort to remember it.
v
To bring back to a level of conscious awareness; to recall to mind.
Morpheme Breakdown
re
collect
re
again
collect
gather
Etymology
The verb "recollect" is formed from the Latin prefix re- ("again") combined with the verb "collect," which itself originates from Latin colligere ("to gather, pick up"). The literal sense is "to gather again" or "to bring back together." Over time, this concrete meaning evolved into the abstract mental process of gathering one's thoughts, memories, or composure, shifting from a physical to a cognitive action. It entered English in the 16th century, carrying this sense of deliberately recalling something to mind, often implying a conscious effort to reassemble scattered memories.
Analysis
Structure: re (again) + collect (gather)
- re: A Latin prefix meaning "again" or "back." It functions as an intensifier or indicates repetition.
- collect: From Latin collectus, the past participle of colligere ("to gather together"). In this word, it functions as the core root meaning "to gather."
Examples
I tried hard to recollect where I had seen her face before.
As he grew older, he found it difficult to recollect the details of his childhood.
She paused to recollect her thoughts before answering the difficult question.