interpret. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000.

The American Heritage^® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000.

interpret

SYLLABICATION:	in·ter·pret
PRONUNCIATION:	n-tûrprt
VERB:	Inflected forms: in·ter·pret·ed, in·ter·pret·ing, in·ter·prets
TRANSITIVE VERB:	1. To explain the meaning of: interpreted the ambassador's remarks. See synonyms at explain. 2. To conceive the significance of; construe: interpreted his smile to be an agreement; interpreted the open door as an invitation. 3. To present or conceptualize the meaning of by means of art or criticism. 4. To translate orally.
INTRANSITIVE VERB:	1. To offer an explanation. 2. To serve as an interpreter for speakers of different languages.
ETYMOLOGY:	Middle English interpreten, from Old French interpreter, from Latin interpretr, from interpres, interpret-, negotiator, explainer. See per-⁵ in Appendix I.
OTHER FORMS:	in·terpret·a·bili·ty, in·terpret·a·ble·ness —NOUN in·terpret·a·ble —ADJECTIVE


The American Heritage^® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by the Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.