interpret

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Jump to: navigation, search
See also Interpret

Contents

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

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

[edit] Pronunciation

[edit] Verb

Infinitive
to interpret

Third person singular
interprets

Simple past
interpreted

Past participle
interpreted

Present participle
interpreting

to 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 esp. 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.

[edit] Synonyms

[edit] Related terms

[edit] Translations

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

[edit] References

[edit] Czech

[edit] Noun

interpret m.

  1. interpreter (programming)
Retrieved from "http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/interpret"