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

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