Wiktionary:Word of the day/2025/January 12

edit · refresh · view Word of the day for January 12

glean v

(transitive) To collect (fruit, grain, or other produce) from a field, an orchard, etc., after the main gathering or harvest. To collect fruit, grain, or other produce from (a field, an orchard, etc.), after the main gathering or harvest. (figurative) To gather (something, now chiefly something intangible such as experience or information) in small amounts over a period of time, often with some difficulty; to scrape together. To take away (someone's) possessions; to strip (someone) bare. (obsolete) To collect or gather (things) into one mass. (obsolete, military) To cut off (straggling soldiers separated from their units) during a conflict; to isolate. (intransitive) To collect fruit, grain, or other produce after the main gathering or harvest. (zoology) Of an animal, especially a bat or a bird: to feed by picking up or plucking prey, mainly arthropods such as insects, from various places. glean n (obsolete except UK, dialectal) A collection of something made by gleaning.

← yesterday | About Word of the Day • Nominate a word • Leave feedback | tomorrow →