one who collects things which are separate; esp., one who makes a business or practice of collecting works of art, objects in natural history, etc.; as, a collector of coins.-a compiler of books; one who collects scattered passages and puts them together in one book.-an officer appointed and commissioned to collect and receive customs, duties, taxes, or toll.-one authorized to collect debts.-a bachelor of arts in oxford, formerly appointed to superintend some scholastic proceedings in lent.