English Explanatory Dictionary

interpreter

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A person or thing that interprets the meaning of something for another, particularly
  2. A person or thing that interprets the meaning of something for another
  3. A person or thing that translates speech or signing, as opposed to texts.
  4. Synonym of translator, one who translates various forms of texts.
  5. Synonym of commentator, one who explains laws or scripture.
  6. Synonym of emissary, particularly in reference to Hermes or angels as messengers between humans and the divine.
  7. Synonym of guide, one who explains a thing, person, or group of people.
  8. A thing that, figuratively speaking, performs a similar role explaining, revealing, or clarifying.
  9. Synonym of synonymy, the use of one term to explain another.
  10. Synonym of dictionary or glossary, a book that explains uncommon terms.
  11. A machine that reads the pattern of holes on a punch card and prints its meaning along the top of the card.
  12. An analyst of reconnaissance photographs.

Pronunciation

/ɪnˈtɜː.pɹɪ.tə/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-interpreter.wav /ɪnˈtɝ.pɹɪ.tɚ/ [ɪnˈtɝ.pɹɪ.ɾɚ]

Word forms

interpreter interpreters interpretour enterpretour enterpretor

Etymology

From Middle English interpreter, interpretour, etc., from Old French interpreteur, interpreteeur, etc., from Late Latin interpretātōr, from classical Latin interpretātus (“explained, translated”) + -or (“-er: forming agent nouns”), from interpretārī (“to explain, to translate”), from interpres (“go-between, translator”) + -ārī (“to be ~ed”), q.v. In reference to divine emissaries, a calque of Mercury's Latin epithet interpres divum (“go-between of the gods”). In reference to the rhetorical device, a calque of Latin interpretatio. Equivalent to interpret + -er. Displaced native Old English wealhstod.

Synonyms

decoder elucidator explainer explicator expounder terp translator one who translates various forms of texts Latiner latimer truchman dragoman dubash linguister commentator one who explains laws or scripture emissary particularly in reference to Hermes or angels as messengers between humans and the divine guide one who explains a thing person or group of people cicerone docent tour guide synonymy dictionary or glossary

Related words

interpret interpretation interpretive interpretorial

Derived words

conference interpreter interpretership interpretess interpretress photointerpreter self-interpreter

Translations

Bulgarian: тълкува́тел Dutch: uitlegger Finnish: opas Korean: 해설자 Romanian: comentator Romanian: interpretator Spanish: exégeta Spanish: exegeta
This entry uses open data from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA/GFDL). Word forms are used for search and are not indexed as separate pages.
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