Interpret
/ɪnˈtɜːr.prɪt/noun
To explain or understand the meaning of something; to translate spoken or signed language.
Did you know?The word comes from Latin interpretor/interpretari, tied to the idea of acting as a go-between, which is why interpretation has always carried a mystical vibe of translating hidden meaning.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*per-
“to traffic, to pass through; associated with exchange and movement”
Latin
Latin
interpres
“an intermediary, negotiator, or translator”
Latin
Latin
interpretari
“to explain, expound, translate”
Old French
Old French
enterpreter
“to explain or translate”
Middle English
English
interpreten
“to explain or construe the meaning of words or signs”
Modern English
English
interpret
“to explain the meaning of something or translate from one language to another”