/kom"euhn tayt'/ , v. , commentated, commentating .
v.t.
1. to deliver a commentary on: to commentate a fashion show.
2. to write a commentary on; annotate: to commentate the Book of Job.
v.i.
3. to serve as a commentator: The senior staff member will commentate, as usual.
4. to make explanatory or critical comments, as upon a text: the manuscript on which I am commentating.
[ 1785-95; back formation from COMMENTATOR ]
Usage . Since the late 18th century, COMMENTATE has been used transitively with the meaning "to annotate" and, since the mid 19th, intransitively with the meaning "to make explanatory or critical comments." These uses are now rare. Recently, COMMENTATE has developed the additional transitive sense "to deliver a commentary on" and the intransitive sense "to serve as a commentator." These uses are occasionally criticized as journalistic jargon.