Interpret Definition

ĭn-tûrprĭt

interpreted, interpreting, interprets

verb

interpreted, interpreting, interprets

To explain the meaning of; make understandable.

To interpret a poem.

Webster's New World

To translate (esp. oral remarks)

Webster's New World

To have or show one's own understanding of the meaning of; construe.

To interpret someone's silence as contempt.

Webster's New World

To act as an interpreter; explain or translate.

Webster's New World

To bring out the meaning of; esp., to give one's own conception of (a work of art), as in performance or criticism.

Webster's New World

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Origin of Interpret

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.

From Wiktionary
Middle English interpreten from Old French interpreter from Latin interpretārī from interpres interpret- negotiator, explainer per-⁵ in Indo-European roots

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition