v.tr. (construes, construed, construing)
1. interpret (words or actions) (their decision can be construed in many ways).
2 (often foll. by with) combine (words) grammatically ('rely' is construed with 'on').
3 analyse the syntax of (a sentence).
4 translate word for word.
Derivatives:
construable adj. construal n.
Etymology: ME f. L construere construct