recollect

[ rek-uh-lekt ]

verb (used with object)

1. to recall to mind; recover knowledge of by memory; remember.

   Antonyms: forget

2. to absorb (oneself ) in spiritual meditation, especially during prayer.

verb (used without object)

1. to have a recollection; remember.

recollect

/ ˌrɛkəˈlɛkt /

verb

1. when tr, often takes a clause as object to recall from memory; remember

Derived Forms

• ˌrecolˈlective, adjective
• ˌrecolˈlectively, adverb

Other Words From

• recol·lective adjective
• recol·lective·ly adverb
• recol·lective·ness noun
• misrec·ol·lect verb
• nonrec·ol·lective adjective
• self-recol·lective adjective
• unrec·ol·lective adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of recollect¹

First recorded in 1550–60; from Medieval Latin recollēctus, past participle of recolligere “to remember, recollect” ( Latin: “to gather up again”); re-, collect ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of recollect¹

C16: from Latin recolligere to gather again, from re- + colligere to collect ¹

Synonym Study

See remember.

Example Sentences

Some might recollect that two of our last four presidents — George W. Bush and Donald Trump — claimed the White House despite losing the popular vote.

From Los Angeles Times

As Fed Chair Jerome H. Powell recollected in a speech last month, “the good ship Transitory was a crowded one, with most mainstream analysts and advanced-economy central bankers on board.”

From Los Angeles Times

Mark Macarro, chairman of the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians, recollected fellow Native Americans insisting that “Mission Indians” are not like other Indians because they don’t have treaties with the United States.

From Los Angeles Times

"I had intended to use the dust only to heat up the drug carrying capsules," Jelena recollects.

From Science Daily

"I don't recollect that they were," she says.

From BBC