General terms:
* Accumulated: This implies a gradual increase over time.
* Amassing: This suggests a deliberate and perhaps large-scale gathering.
* Collected: This emphasizes the act of gathering, without necessarily implying a slow process.
* Compiled: This suggests a more organized and systematic gathering, often for a specific purpose.
More specific terms:
* Aggregated: This implies gathering from various sources.
* Assembled: This suggests bringing together different parts or elements.
* Hoarded: This implies gathering and storing something for future use, often in a secretive way.
* Gathered: This is a basic term, but it can be used effectively to convey a sense of slow and deliberate accumulation.
Figurative terms:
* Piecemeal: This suggests a process of gathering in small, irregular chunks.
* Bit by bit: This is a more informal phrase that emphasizes the slow, incremental nature of the gathering.
* Gradually: This focuses on the gradual process of accumulation over time.
The best word to use will depend on the specific context and the meaning you want to convey.