interpretation

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   an explanation of something that is not immediately obvious

   the edict was subject to many interpretations

2. 2
   noun

   an explanation that results from interpreting something

   The report included an interpretation of the forensic evidence.

3. 3
   noun

   An act of interpreting or explaining something unclear; a translation; a version.

   The interpretation of a dream, or of an enigma

4. 4
   noun

   A sense given by an interpreter; an exposition or explanation given; meaning.

   Commentators give various interpretations of the same passage of Scripture.

5. 5
   noun

   The discipline or study of translating one spoken or signed language into another (as opposed to translation, which concerns itself with written language).

   I believe that interpretation, particularly consecutive interpretation, is an art. I also believe, however, that the skill of consecutive interpretation can be taught, but only up to a point.

6. 6
   noun

   the act of interpreting something as expressed in an artistic performance

7. 7
   noun

   a mental representation of the meaning or significance of something

8. 8
   noun

   The power of explaining.

Etymology

From Middle English interpretacioun, from the Anglo-Norman form of Old French interpretacion, from Latin interpretātiō, noun of action from interpretor (“to explain, expound, interpret, understand, conclude, infer, comprehend”). Morphologically interpret + -ation.