congregate

congregate, assemble, collect, gather

这组词都有“收集”“聚集”“收捡”的意思。它们的区别在于:
1.collect指为了某一目的,用心地收捡,并加以仔细整理。例如:
He hung up the map on the wall and collected political cadres and teachers to address them.他把那张地图挂在墙上,召集政治干部和政治教员来给他们讲话。
2.gather是收集的最普通用语,指自发地集中在一起或把分散的东西收拢起来,或从不同的方向聚集到一起,胡子眉毛一把抓地堆集,还可指将抽象事物归拢。例如:
He travels about the world gathering facts about the little-known disease.他走遍世界,收集鲜为人知的疾病资料。
The hosts are gathered in the adjoining lounge.许多人聚集在隔壁的休息室里。
More and more water was gathering in the swamp.沼泽地里的水越积越多。
3.assemble更强调收集的目的,把人或物密集地聚在一起。例如:
He called us all together, and told the assembled company that the exams had been cancelled.他把我们召集到一起,告诉大家考试已经取消。
The members assembled in the meeting room.成员们都聚集在会议室。
Assemble your papers and put them in the file.把你的文件归拢好放在这个文件夹内。
4.congregate是自发地、出自本能地或随意地、散乱地聚集在一起,多用于人或动物。例如:
A crowd congregated around the orator.一群人聚集在演说者的周围。
The crowd congregated in the town square to hear the President speak.人群聚集到市镇广场上来听总统讲话。
Cattle congregate during a storm.在暴风雨中,牲口聚集在一起。