v.
Pronunciation: k ə n- ' strü
Function: verb
Inflected Form: con · strued ; con · stru · ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Late Latin construere, from Latin, to construct
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1 : to analyze the arrangement and connection of words in (a sentence or sentence part)
2 : to understand or explain the sense or intention of usually in a particular way or with respect to a given set of circumstances < construed my actions as hostile>
intransitive verb : to construe a sentence or sentence part especially in connection with translating
– con · stru · able \ - ' strü- ə -b ə l \ adjective