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Webster 1913 Edition


Interpret

In-ter′pret

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Interpreted
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Interpreting
.]
[F.
interprêter
, L.
interpretari
, p. p.
interpretatus
, fr.
interpres
interpeter, agent, negotiator;
inter
between + (prob.) the root of
pretium
price. See
Price
.]
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.
Syn. – To translate; explain; solve; render; expound; elucidate; decipher; unfold; unravel.

In-ter′pret

,
Verb.
I.
To act as an interpreter.
Shak.

Webster 1828 Edition


Interpret

INTER'PRET

,
Verb.
T.
[L. interpretor, from interpres.]
1.
To explain the meaning or words to a person who does not understand them; to expound; to translate unintelligible words into intelligible ones; as, to interpret the Hebrew language to an Englishman.
--Immanuel, which being interpreted, signified, God with us. Matt.1.
2.
To explain or unfold the meaning of predictions, vision, dreams or enigmas; to expound and lay open what is concealed from the understanding; as, Joseph interpreted the dream of Pharaoh.
3.
To decipher.
4.
To explain something not understood; as, to interpret looks or signs.
5.
To define; to explain words by other words in the same language.

Definition 2024


Interpret

Interpret

See also: interpret and intèrpret

German

Noun

Interpret m (genitive Interpreten, plural Interpreten)

  1. (music) performer

Declension

interpret

interpret

See also: Interpret and intèrpret

English

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.
    • The Holy Bible, Matthew i. 23.
      Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
    • The Holy Bible, Genesis xli. 8.
      And Pharaoh told them his dreams; but there was none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh.
    • 2013 July 26, Leo Hickman, How algorithms rule the world”, in The Guardian Weekly, volume 189, number 7, page 26:
      The use of algorithms in policing is one example of their increasing influence on our lives. [] who, if anyone, is policing their use[?] Such concerns were sharpened further by the continuing revelations about how the US National Security Agency (NSA) has been using algorithms to help it interpret the colossal amounts of data it has collected from its covert dragnet of international telecommunications.
  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

References

  • interpret in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
  • interpret in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911

Czech

Noun

interpret m

  1. (programming) interpreter

Lower Sorbian

Etymology

From Latin interpres.

Noun

interpret m (feminine equivalent interpretka)

  1. performer

Declension