爱华网两词都表示 "集中，归拢"，但两者有细微区别。
gather: 既可用于人，也可用于物。常指把零散的人或物集中，聚拢。如：
The teacher gathered all the pupilsin the auditorium.
老师把全体同学集合在礼堂内。《简明英汉词典》
The teacher went round the class togather the papers.
老师在教室里走了一圈收试卷。《简明英汉词典》
collect: 一般只用于物，侧重指有选择或有一定计划将零散事物归拢。如：
I've started collectingstamps.
我已开始集邮。《新牛津英汉双解大词典》
He went round the office collectingold coffee cups.
他在办公室里转来转去，把用过的咖啡杯集中起来。《新牛津英汉双解大词典》
accumulate: (gradually gather or acquire(a resulting whole))意为“积累”，有“逐步、逐渐”的含义。
Her goal was to accumulate a hugefortune.
她的目标是积累起一大笔财富。《新牛津英汉双解大词典》
练习：
C 1. _____ around thefire, the tourists danced with the local people.
A.GatherB. To gather
C.GatheringD.To be gathering11辽宁
D 2. Fishing is hisfavorite hobby, and _______.
A.he'd like to collect coins as well
B.he feels like collecting coins, too
C.to collect coins is also his hobby
D.collecting coins also gives him great pleasure01上海
A 3. ___ energy under the earth must be releasedin one form or another, for example, anearthquake.
A.AccumulatedB.GatheredC. AssembledD. Collected
