I. ˈkäˌment sometimes -_mənt noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, commentary, exposition, from Late Latin commentum commentary, from Latin, invention, contrivance, from neuter of commentus, past participle of comminisci to invent, contrive, devise, from com- + -minisci (from the root of ment-, mens mind) — more at mind
1. : an expository treatise : commentary
2.
a. : a note or observation intended to explain, illustrate, or criticize the meaning of a writing : annotation
comments upon the passage were printed in the margin
b. : the whole body of such matter
two pages of comment for every page of text
3.
a. : an observation or remark expressing an opinion or attitude concerning what has been seen or heard or concerning the subject at hand
she listens, and puts in from time to time some critical comment — Rose Macaulay
b. : discussion, interpretation, or expression of opinion or attitude
the paper also gave comment on the news in signed editorials — Jacques Kayser
: criticism
the brown tweeds, sir, … would have occasioned unfavorable comment — T.S.Watt
4. : a critical observation, interpretation, or expression of opinion conveyed by suggestion, implication, analogy, or other indirect means
the painting is a comment on the subject's character
the film is an ironic comment on the industrial age
II. “ sometimes käˈment verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
intransitive verb
: to explain or interpret by comment : make or write comment : remark , observe
neither could be induced … to comment during general discussions — Victor Boesen
commenting on the situation in the West
transitive verb
1. : to furnish (a written work) with comments : explain or interpret by comment : annotate
translated and commented the Psalter — G.G.Coulton
2. : to make a comment on : discuss , criticize
the discovery … is hardly commented by the press — Nation