INTERPRETATION


Meaning of INTERPRETATION in English

ə̇n.ˌtərprəˈtāshən, ÷-pə-, -tə̄p-, -təip- noun

( -s )

Etymology: Middle English interpretacioun, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French interpretation, from Latin interpretation-, interpretatio, from interpretatus + -ion-, -io -ion

1. : the act or the result of interpreting: as

a. : explanation of what is not immediately plain or explicit

interpretation of a dream

or unmistakable

interpretation of a law

interpretation of a biblical passage

interpretation of an aerial photograph

interpretation of symptoms of disease

b. : translation from one language into another — used of oral translation by interpreters

c. : explanation of actions, events, or statements by pointing out or suggesting inner relationships or motives or by relating particulars to general principles

Marxist interpretation of history

allegorical interpretation of a novel

poetic interpretations of natural phenomena

2. : representation in performance, delivery, or criticism of the thought and mood in a work of art or its producer especially as penetrated by the personality of the interpreter

interpretation is a transcendental effort … in which the player seeks not to reproduce but to re-create the music the composer wrote — C.M.Smith

famous for her original interpretations of several dramatic roles

3. : a particular adaptation or application of a method or style or set of principles

the stone house … shows a naïve and unusual interpretation of classical elements — American Guide Series: Pennsylvania

an amusing interpretation of the shirt vogue in black cotton — Virginia Pope

4. : activity directed toward the enlightenment of the public concerning the significance of the work of a public service or agency ; sometimes : publicity , public relations

program of interpretation developed by a natural-history museum

• in·ter·pre·ta·tion·al  ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷|tāshən ə l, -shnəl adjective

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.