In*ter"pret (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Interpreted; p. pr. & vb. n.
Interpreting.] [F. interprêter, L. interpretari, p. p. interpretatus,
fr. interpres interpeter, agent, negotiator; inter between + (prob.)
the root of pretium price. See Price.]
1. To explain or tell the meaning of; to expound; to translate orally
into intelligible or familiar language or terms; to decipher; to
define; -- applied esp. to language, but also to dreams, signs,
conduct, mysteries, etc.; as, to interpret the Hebrew language to an
Englishman; to interpret an Indian speech.
Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Matt. i. 23.
And Pharaoh told them his dreams; but there was none that could
interpret them unto Pharaoh.
Gen. xli. 8.
2. 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.
Syn. -- To translate; explain; solve; render; expound; elucidate;
decipher; unfold; unravel.
In*ter"pret, v. i. To act as an interpreter. Shak.
In*ter"pret*a*ble (?), a. [L. interpretabilis: cf. F. interprêtable.]
Admitting of interpretation; capable of being interpreted or explained.
In*ter"pre*ta*ment (?), n. [L. interpretamentum.] Interpretation.
[Obs.] Milton.
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In*ter`pre*ta"tion (n*tr`pr*t"shn), n. [L. interpretatio: cf. F.
interprétation.]
1. The act of interpreting; explanation of what is obscure;
translation; version; construction; as, the interpretation of a foreign
language, of a dream, or of an enigma.
Look how we can, or sad or merrily, Interpretation will misquote
our looks.
Shak.
2. The sense given by an interpreter; exposition or explanation given;
meaning; as, commentators give various interpretations of the same
passage of Scripture.