come together; assemble or accumulate

as soon as a crowd gathered, the police came

bring together and take in from scattered places or sources

information that we have gathered about people

increase in (speed, force, etc.)

the destroyer gathered speed

infer; understand

I gathered that they were old friends

summon up (a mental or physical attribute) for a purpose

she lay gathering her thoughts together

he gathered himself for a tremendous leap

draw and hold together (fabric or a part of a garment) by running thread through it

the front is gathered at the waist

a part of a garment that is gathered