recueillant

Recueillant is the present participle of the French verb recueillir, which means to gather, collect, or receive. As a participle used adjectivally, recueillant describes the action of gathering and can modify a noun to indicate that it carries out or performs this action.

In contemporary French, the term is commonly used in contexts involving data collection, interviews, surveys, or witness statements. Examples include "un système recueillant des données en temps réel" (a system collecting real-time data) or "un témoin recueillant des témoignages" (a witness collecting testimonies). The word can often be used interchangeably with collectant, though recueillant can emphasize the process of reception and aggregation as opposed to mere physical collection.

Morphology and usage notes: as an adjective, recueillant inflects for gender and number (recueillant, recueillante, recueillants, recueillantes). It is most frequently found in formal or technical prose, including journalism, research, and technology descriptions. In many everyday contexts, speakers may prefer forms like "qui collecte" or "collectant" for clarity or rhythm.

Related terms include recueillir (to collect/receive), recueil (a collection or anthology), and collecte (the act of collecting, sometimes used for data or donations). While the past participle of recueillir is recueillie, the present participle recueillant serves to describe ongoing collection or gathering activities.

See also: recueillir, recueil, collecte.