v. 1 tr. (also absol.) a (often foll. by into) express the sense of (a word, sentence, speech, book, etc.) in another language. b do this as a profession etc. (translates for the UN). 2 intr. (of a literary work etc.) be translatable, bear translation (does not translate well). 3 tr. express (an idea, book, etc.) in another, esp. simpler, form. 4 tr. interpret the significance of; infer as (translated his silence as dissent). 5 tr. move or change, esp. from one person, place, or condition, to another (was translated by joy). 6 intr. (foll. by into) result in; be converted into; manifest itself as. 7 tr. Eccl. a remove (a bishop) to another see. b remove (a saint's relics etc.) to another place. 8 tr. Bibl. convey to heaven without death; transform. 9 tr. Mech. a cause (a body) to move so that all its parts travel in the same direction. b impart motion without rotation to. translatable adj. translatability n.
[ ME f. L translatus, past part. of transferre: see TRANSFER ]