Collects

Collects is the third-person singular present tense form of the verb to collect, used to describe the act of gathering or accumulating items, data, or information. For example, one might say, "She collects stamps," or "The museum collects artifacts." The verb also appears in various tenses and forms, such as collecting and collected.

In Christian liturgy, a Collect (plural: collects) refers to a short, formal prayer spoken or sung during a service. Collects are designed to capture the main theme of the day, feast, or readings and to invite the congregation to pray. The term comes from Latin collecta, meaning a gathering or assembly, reflecting the way the prayer gathers the intent of the worshipers. Collects are used in many Western and some Eastern Christian rites, including Roman Catholic, Anglican, and certain Lutheran liturgies, though the exact wording and usage can vary by tradition and jurisdiction.

Historically, collects developed in early Christian worship as concise prayers that could be recited after the readings. They typically begin with an address to God, present a petition or request, and end with a doxology or a short conclusion. Today, collects remain a standard element of the liturgy in many churches, and individual collects may be assigned to specific Sundays, holy days, or seasons such as Advent and Lent.

Outside of liturgy, collects simply refers to the act of collecting. The word is widely used in everyday language to describe hobbies, data gathering, archiving, and other activities that involve bringing items or information together.