ˈkämən.ˌterē, -ri noun
( -es )
Etymology: Latin commentarius, commentarium notebook, commentary, from commentari to meditate upon (freq. of comminisci to invent, contrive, devise) + -arius, -arium -ary (n. suffix) — more at comment
1.
a. : a treatise in explanation of some subject — usually used in plural
Blackstone's Commentaries
b. : a record of a set of events usually written by a participant and marked by less formality and elaborateness than a history — usually used in plural
Caesar's Commentaries on the Gallic War
2.
a. : a systematic series of explanations or interpretations of the text of a writing
a commentary on Dante's Divine Comedy
commentaries on the Scriptures
b. : comment 2a
c. : a spoken description or series of comments accompanying a motion picture or other exhibition
3.
a. : something that serves for illustration or explanation
godly persons … whose lives might be a fitting commentary on their teaching — W.H.Prescott
: a fact or piece of evidence that explains or illustrates a condition or characteristic
the dark, airless apartments and sunless factories … are a sad commentary upon our civilization — H.A.Overstreet
b. : an observation or interpretation conveyed by suggestion, implication, analogy, or other indirect means
both books are commentaries with tragic or ironic overtones on certain social groups
a scene that is a gem of satiric commentary on the world of art — Rose Feld
4. : the act of commenting