glean
/gli:n; ɡlin/ v
1 [I, Tn] gather (grain left in a field by harvest workers) 拾（收割者落在地里的谷物）.
2 [Tn, Tn.pr, Tf]
~ sth (from sb/sth) (fig 比喻) obtain (news, facts, information, etc) usu from various sources, in small quantities and with effort 搜集（消息、 资料、 情报等）（通常指来源广、 零碎而费力）
glean a few bits of information from overhearing various conversations 从旁边听到的谈话中搜集点滴信息
From what people said, I managed to glean that he wasn't coming. 我从别人说话中总算弄清楚他不来了.