Ways to say it
| Latin | IPA |
|---|---|
| colligō | |
| lego | [ˈɫɛ.ɡoː] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈlɛː.ɡo] (narrow) |
Both words describe the act of gathering, but they are used for different types of collection. colligō is used when the sense of gathering implies bringing things into a unified whole or an organized collection, such as gathering arguments or facts. In contrast, lego is used when the sense of gathering implies picking up or selecting individual items from a group, such as gathering grain or flowers.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb colligō is formed from col- (together) and ligō (to bind), literally meaning to bind together.
Which one should you use?
Use colligō for abstract or organized gatherings where things are brought together into a single unit. Use lego for physical or individual gathering, where you are picking specific items from a larger mass.
Did you know?
- The root of colligō is the same root used to form the word religio, which is where the English word 'religion' comes from, implying a 'binding' of the human and the divine.
- The Latin word lego can mean both 'to gather' and 'to read'.
- The Latin word colligō shares a root with the English word 'ligament' because both come from the Latin ligō meaning 'to bind'.
Examples in context
- Convenimus in bibliothecaWe gather in the library
- Materiam ligneam coacervantThey gather wooden material
- Nos congregamus ad festumWe gather for the party
- Frusta in mensam colligō.I gather the scraps onto the table.
- Nova argumenta colligō.I am collecting new arguments.
- Verba in librum colligō.I gather the words into a book.
Example conversation
Gaius and Claudia are tidying up a room.
- GaiusClaudia, quid agis?Claudia, what are you doing?
- ClaudiaHic papyros colligō.I am gathering the papers here.
- GaiusBene, ego auxilium dō.Good, I will give help.
- ClaudiaGratias tibi, Gai.Thank you, Gaius.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “gather” translations and entries lego, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
