interpret

See also Interpret

English

Etymology

From Middle English interpreten, from Old French enterpreter, (French interpréter), from Latin interpretor (“to explain, expound, interpret”), past participle interpretatus, from interpres (“an agent, broker, explainer, interpreter, negotiator”), from inter (“between”) + -pres, probably the root of pretium (“price”); -pres is probably connected with Ancient Greek φράζειν (phrazein, “to point out, show, explain, declare, speak”), from which φραδή (phrade, “understanding”), φράσις (phrasis, “speech”); see phrase.

Pronunciation

Verb

interpret (third-person singular simple present interprets, present participle interpreting, simple past and past participle interpreted)

  1. To explain or tell the meaning of; to expound; to translate orally into intelligible or familiar language or terms; to decipher; to define; -- applied especially to language, but also to dreams, signs, conduct, mysteries, etc.; as, to interpret the Hebrew language to an Englishman; to interpret an Indian speech.
    "Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us." Matt. i. 23.
    "And Pharaoh told them his dreams; but there was none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh." Gen. xli. 8.
  2. To apprehend and represent by means of art; to show by illustrative representation; as, an actor interprets the character of Hamlet; a musician interprets a sonata; an artist interprets a landscape.
  3. (intransitive) To act as an interpreter.

Synonyms

Related terms

Translations

to explain or tell the meaning of
to apprehend and represent by means of art
to act as an interpreter

References

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Czech

Noun

interpret m

  1. interpreter (programming)
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Last modified on 19 May 2013, at 18:44