What does it mean to "glean" information?

To "glean" information means to gather it incrementally or bit by bit, typically by extracting useful insights from a larger set of data or information. This term is often associated with careful and selective accumulation, suggesting a process where the individual pays close attention to details and nuances rather than attempting to retrieve everything at once.

In various contexts, gleaning involves sifting through information to find valuable pieces that might not be immediately obvious. This approach is particularly important in research, analysis, and information synthesis, where the richness of understanding often comes from piecing together disparate bits of information into a coherent whole.

The other choices indicate different actions that do not align with the concept of gleaning. For example, discarding worthless information does not involve the careful accumulation implied by gleaning. Ignoring minor details and conducting a survey involve different processes of engagement with information and data collection.