compile

[kuhm-pahyl]

verb (used with object)

compiled, compiling 

1. to put together (documents, selections, or other materials) in one book or work.

2. to make (a book, writing, or the like) of materials from various sources.

   to compile an anthology of plays; to compile a graph showing changes in profit.

3. to gather together.

   to compile data.

4. Computers.,  to translate (a computer program) from a high-level language into another language, usually machine language, using a compiler.

compile

/ kəmˈpaɪl /

verb

1. to make or compose from other materials or sources

   to compile a list of names

2. to collect or gather for a book, hobby, etc

3. computing to create (a set of machine instructions) from a high-level programming language, using a compiler

Other Word Forms

• precompile verb (used with object)
• recompile verb (used with object)
• uncompiled adjective
• well-compiled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of compile¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English, from Latin compīlāre “to rob, pillage, steal from another writer,” equivalent to com- “with” + -pīlāre, perhaps akin to pīla “column, pier,” pīlāre “to fix firmly, plant” (hence, “pile up, accumulate”); com-, pile ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of compile¹

C14: from Latin compīlāre to pile together, plunder, from com- together + pīlāre to thrust down, pack

Example Sentences

In California and across the country, researchers subsequently compiled massive evidence of delayed or lost learning during this period, with the academic damage affecting school populations even in places that re-opened campuses more quickly.

From Los Angeles Times

"We will confidentially compile the names we all know were regularly in the Epstein world," she said.

From BBC

“Many of us were abused by them…we will confidentially compile the names we all know.”

From Salon

DR's report on Wednesday gave details of a visit by one American to Greenland's capital Nuuk, saying he was seeking to compile a list of Greenlanders who backed US attempts to take over the island.

From BBC

Comer's subpoena asks that the executors of Epstein's estate provide "all entries contained within the reported leather-bound book compiled by Ms Ghislaine Maxwell".

From BBC

Related Words

• amass 
• arrange 
• assemble 
• collect 
• compose 
• cull 
• edit 
• gather 
• glean 
• organize