The Complete Vocabulary Builder Workbook by BETTER WORDS R. B. Skinner

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glean

verb

/ɡlin/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of glean

To extract or gather information or knowledge from various sources, often by careful examination and research.
"The investigator tried to glean some important details from the witness."

Detailed meaning of glean

It involves collecting small pieces of information from different sources and combining them to gain a better understanding of a particular subject. The word 'glean' is often associated with the act of harvesting crops where farmers carefully collect the remaining grain or fruit from the field after the main harvest has taken place. In a figurative sense, 'glean' is used to describe the process of gathering scattered information or knowledge from different sources to form a coherent whole. It is a method of obtaining information by careful observation and collection, often requiring patience and persistence.

Example sentences containing glean

1. I always glean some useful information from reading books.
2. She went to the market to glean some fresh fruits and vegetables.
3. I need to re-read the chapter to glean a better understanding of the topic.
4. She used her online research skills to glean information about the company.
5. I was able to glean from her tone of voice that she was upset.
6. The journalist tried to glean some insider information about the upcoming election.

History and etymology of glean

The verb 'glean' has its etymological roots in Old English. It is derived from the Old English word 'gleanian,' which means 'to gather' or 'to collect.' Originally, 'gleanian' referred to the act of gathering leftover grains or other agricultural produce from fields after the primary harvest. Over time, the term's meaning expanded metaphorically to describe the action of extracting or gathering information or knowledge from various sources, often by careful examination and research. This evolution reflects the idea that, much like collecting the remaining grains after a harvest, 'glean' involves the systematic and thorough collection of valuable information or insights from diverse sources. Therefore, the etymology of 'glean' underscores its use as a verb that signifies the careful and diligent gathering of knowledge or data from multiple sources.

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Further usage examples of glean

1. We need to glean some key takeaways from the meeting to share with the team.
2. The archeologist hoped to glean some insights into ancient civilizations from the artifacts.
3. I always try to glean some tips and tricks from experienced chefs.
4. The farmer hired workers to glean the crops after the harvest.
5. The teacher asked the students to read the article and glean the main idea.
6. Journalists often glean insights from public records to substantiate their investigative reports.
7. Anthropologists glean valuable information from artifacts to understand ancient human behavior.
8. Scientists glean data from experiments to confirm or refute their initial hypotheses.
9. To build a comprehensive market analysis, you'll need to glean details from multiple sources.
10. By observing nature, one can glean lessons about the interconnectedness of life on Earth.
11. Financial analysts glean trends from balance sheets to make informed investment recommendations.
12. Aspiring writers often glean inspiration from their favorite authors to develop their own style.
13. Parents glean knowledge about their children's interests by paying attention to their hobbies.
14. Philosophers glean wisdom from studying the thoughts and works of their intellectual predecessors.
15. Fans of the series eagerly glean clues from each episode to predict future plot twists.
16. Students can glean problem-solving skills from studying real-world applications of their subjects.
17. Engineers often glean new approaches by examining failures and successes in past projects.
18. From customer feedback, companies can glean areas for improvement in their products or services.
19. Teachers glean insights into student understanding by closely monitoring classroom participation.
20. Through body language, we can glean unspoken feelings that words alone may not convey.
21. Artists often glean techniques from various schools of thought to enhance their creative expression.
22. Historians glean valuable information from primary sources like letters, diaries, and official records.
23. Social scientists often glean trends from qualitative interviews and quantitative data analysis.
24. Musicians can glean valuable lessons by dissecting and emulating the compositions of the masters.
25. Psychologists often glean behavioral patterns by conducting controlled experiments on subjects.