Interpret
Pronunciation
- RP IPA: /ɪnˈtÉœËpɹɪt/
- GenAm IPA: /ɪnˈtÉpɹɪt/
Origin
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 φÏάζειν (phrazein, "to point out, show, explain, declare, speak"), from which φÏαδή (phrade, "understanding"), φÏάσις (phrasis, "speech"); see phrase.
Full definition of interpret
Verb
- 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.
- 2013-07-26, Leo Hickman, How algorithms rule the world, 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.
- 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.
- (intransitive) To act as an interpreter.