glean

glean

verb \ˈglēn\

Definition of GLEAN

intransitive verb

1

: to gather grain or other produce left by reapers

2

: to gather information or material bit by bit

transitive verb

1

a : to pick up after a reaper

b : to strip (as a field) of the leavings of reapers

2

a : to gather (as information) bit by bit

b : to pick over in search of relevant material <gleaning old files for information>

3

: find out

— glean·able \ˈglē-nə-bəl\ adjective

— glean·er noun

Examples of GLEAN

1. She gleaned her data from various studies.
2. He has a collection of antique tools gleaned from flea markets and garage sales.
3. They spent days gleaning the files for information.
4. They spent hours gleaning in the wheat fields.
5. gleaning stray ears of corn

Origin of GLEAN

Middle English glenen, from Anglo-French glener, from Late Latin glennare, of Celtic origin; akin to Old Irish doglenn he selects

First Known Use: 14th century