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read1 definition

read (rēd)

transitive verb read (red), reading read′·ing (rēd)

    1. to get the meaning of (something written, printed, embossed, etc.) by using the eyes, or for Braille, the finger tips, to interpret its characters or signs
    2. proofread
  1. to utter aloud (printed or written matter)
  2. to interpret movements of (the lips of a person speaking)
  3. to know (a language) well enough to interpret its written form
    1. to understand the nature, significance, or thinking of as if by reading to read a person's character in her face, to read someone's mind
    2. to ascribe (an underlying meaning or significance) to: with into don't read anything into his straightforward reply
    1. to interpret (signals, etc.)
    2. to interpret (dreams, omens, tea leaves, lines in the palm of a hand, etc.)
  4. to foretell (the future)
  5. to interpret or understand (a printed passage) as having a particular meaning
  6. to interpret (a musical composition) in a particular way, as in conducting
  7. to have or give as a reading in a certain passage this edition reads “show,” not “shew”
  8. Brit. to study, as at a university; esp., to major in to read law
  9. to record and show; register the thermometer reads 80°
  10. to put into a (specified) state by reading to read a child to sleep
  11. Slang to hear and understand I read you loud and clear
  12. Comput. to access (data or a file) from (a disk, tape, etc.)

Etymology: ME reden, to explain, hence to read < OE rædan, to counsel, interpret; akin to Ger raten, to counsel, advise < IE *rē-dh, *rə-dh < base *ar-, *(a)rē-, to join, fit > art, arm, L reri, to think, ratio, a reckoning

intransitive verb

  1. to read something written, printed, etc., as words, music, books, etc.
  2. to utter or repeat aloud the words of written or printed matter
  3. to learn by reading: with about or of
  4. to study
  5. to have or give a particular meaning when read a poem that reads several ways
  6. to contain, or be drawn up in, certain words the sentence reads as follows
  7. to admit of being read as specified a story that reads well

noun

  1. an act of reading a quick read of the headlines
  2. something for reading a novel that's a good read
  3. Chiefly Brit. a period of time spent reading
read Idioms

read out

to display or record with a readout device

read out of

to expel from (a political party, society, etc.) by public reading of dismissal

read someone a lecture

or read someone a lesson
to scold or reprimand someone

read up (on)

to become well informed (about) by reading
read2 definition

read (red)

transitive verb, intransitive verb

adjective

having knowledge gotten from reading she is widely read in American history
Read definition

Read (rēd)

Read, Sir Herbert (Edward) 1893-1968; Eng. art & literary critic

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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