interpret definition | Dictionary.com

in⋅ter⋅pret

[in-tur-prit]

–verb (used with object)

1.	to give or provide the meaning of; explain; explicate; elucidate: to interpret the hidden meaning of a parable.

2.	to construe or understand in a particular way: to interpret a reply as favorable.

3.	to bring out the meaning of (a dramatic work, music, etc.) by performance or execution.

4.	to perform or render (a song, role in a play, etc.) according to one's own understanding or sensitivity: The actor interpreted Lear as a weak, pitiful old man.

5.	to translate orally.

Computers.

a.	to transform (a program written in a high-level language) with an interpreter into a sequence of machine actions, one statement at a time, executing each statement immediately before going on to transform the next one.

b.	to read (the patterns of holes in punched cards) with an interpreter, printing the interpreted data on the same cards so that they can be read more conveniently by people. Compare interpreter (def. 3).

–verb (used without object)

7.	to translate what is said in a foreign language.

8.	to explain something; give an explanation.

Origin:
1350–1400; ME interpreten < L interpretārī, deriv. of interpret- (s. of interpres) explainer

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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Language Translation for : interpret

Spanish:

interpretar, hacer una interpretación,

German:

dolmetschen,

Japanese:

通訳する

View 30 other languages »

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in·ter·pret   (ĭn-tûr'prĭt) Pronunciation Key
v.   in·ter·pret·ed, in·ter·pret·ing, in·ter·prets

v.   tr.

To explain the meaning of: interpreted the ambassador's remarks. See Synonyms at explain.
To conceive the significance of; construe: interpreted his smile to be an agreement; interpreted the open door as an invitation.
To present or conceptualize the meaning of by means of art or criticism.
To translate orally.

v. intr.

To offer an explanation.
To serve as an interpreter for speakers of different languages.

[Middle English interpreten, from Old French interpreter, from Latin interpretārī, from interpres, interpret-, negotiator, explainer; see per-⁵ in Indo-European roots.]

in·ter'pret·a·bil'i·ty, in·ter'pret·a·ble·ness n., in·ter'pret·a·ble adj.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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interpret

1382, from L. interpretari "explain, expound, understand," from interpres "agent, translator," from inter- + second element of uncertain origin, perhaps related to Skt. prath- "to spread abroad." Interpretation is attested from 1292 in Anglo-Fr. Interpreter "one who translates spoken languages" is from 1382. Interpretative is from 1569, properly formed from the L. pp. stem; interpretive, which means the same thing but is less correct, is from 1680.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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interpret
verb
1.	make sense of; assign a meaning to; "What message do you see in this letter?"; "How do you interpret his behavior?"
2.	give an interpretation or explanation to [syn: rede]
3.	give an interpretation or rendition of; "The pianist rendered the Beethoven sonata beautifully"
4.	create an image or likeness of; "The painter represented his wife as a young girl" [syn: represent]
5.	restate (words) from one language into another language; "I have to translate when my in-laws from Austria visit the U.S."; "Can you interpret the speech of the visiting dignitaries?"; "She rendered the French poem into English"; "He translates for the U.N." [syn: translate]
6.	make sense of a language; "She understands French"; "Can you read Greek?" [syn: understand]

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
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Interpret

In*ter"pret\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Interpreted; p. pr. & vb. n. Interpreting.] [F. interpr[^e]ter, L. interpretari, p. p. interpretatus, fr. interpre? 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.

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.

Syn: To translate; explain; solve; render; expound; elucidate; decipher; unfold; unravel.

Interpret

In*ter"pret\, v. i. To act as an interpreter. --Shak.