I. ˈrēd verb
( read ˈred ; read “ ; reading ˈrēdiŋ, -dēŋ ; reads ˈrēdz)
Etymology: Middle English reden to read, advise, interpret, govern, from Old English rǣdan; akin to Old English rǣd advice, counsel, council, Old High German rātan to advise, rāt advice, supply, Old Norse rātha to advise, interpret, govern, rāth advice, management, Gothic ga redan to take into consideration, Sanskrit rādhnoti, rādhyati he succeeds, prepares, accomplishes, Greek arariskein to fit — more at arm
transitive verb
1.
a.
(1) : to look at or otherwise scan (as letters or other symbols representing words or sentences) with mental formulation of the words or sentences represented
reading books
reading inscriptions
(2) : to study the movements of (as lips) or the formation of (as smoke signals) or the manipulation of (as signaling flags) with mental formulation of the communication expressed
can read lips
(3) : to form with the lips or utter aloud (such mental formulations)
read the text clearly
(4) : to understand the meaning and grasp the full sense of (such mental formulations) either with or without vocal reproduction
students that can really read the classics
b.
(1) : to see or find in printed or written form or in some similar form
read that the marriage would take place soon
(2) : to learn from what one has seen or found in such form
had read that the mineral was rare
c. : to deliver aloud by or as if by reading: as
(1) : to cause another to become acquainted with the contents of (as something written or printed)
please read me the letter
read them a story
(2) obsolete : to give instruction in
read Euclid to some of his disciples — John Davies †1693
(3) : to submit (a proposed measure) to a legislative assembly by reading all or part of
(4) : to speak the lines of (as a character in a play) or deliver the text of (as a selection by a particular writer) and interpret (as by intonation, gesture)
reads the part with conviction
reads Shakespeare with moving simplicity
d.
(1) : to go over or become acquainted with or get through the contents of (as a book, magazine, newspaper, letter) by reading : peruse
reading the evening newspapers
haven't yet read the novel
(2) : to make a special study of (as by reading books and attending lectures) : apply oneself to the study of by following an organized course in
read law but later chose journalism — E.E.Allen
e. : to read books or other printed or written material in (a particular language)
is learning to read Danish
especially : to have such knowledge of (a particular language) as to be able to read with full understanding
reads German, French, and Italian
reads Spanish but can't speak it
f. : to observe and note the indications of (as a thermometer or other graduated instrument)
is reading the meter
g.
(1) : to check or edit (copy) to be set in type
(2) : to check (proof) for discrepancies between proof and copy
h.
(1) : to receive (a message) over a communication system
(2) : to be able to understand (as a transmitted message)
read you loud and clear
(3) : comprehend , judge
sister … I read you all wrong — C.B.Kelland
i. of a computer : to scan and register or reproduce:
(1) : to transfer (data fed in) to an internal medium (as magnetic tape, cards) for storage or computation
(2) : to transfer (stored or computed data) to an external reproducing medium
2.
a. : to study and advance an interpretation of the meaning or significance of (as a riddle, dream, omen, the palms of the hands)
b. : to make known (as the future) beforehand : foretell , predict , foresee
says she can read your fortune
3.
a.
(1) : to find revealed (as in the face or look of a person)
read dismay in her countenance
(2) : to penetrate into (as the thoughts, mind of another)
claims he can read your thoughts
b. : to learn the nature of (as another's character, feelings) by close observation of outward signs
read him like a book
4.
a. : to attribute a particular meaning or interpretation to (something read) : take in a particular way : put a particular construction on : infer as being meant
asked him how he read the passage
b. : to adopt a particular view of under a particular aspect or insight
can read the situation in two ways
c. : to cause (as a particular often wrong idea) to be introduced into something being read or considered
reading false implications into the book
5.
a. : to have or give (as a particular form of a word, phrase, or similar element) in a particular passage, text, or version
in this copy the text reads hurry rather than harry
b. : to cause (such an element) to be substituted in a particular passage, text, or version
told him to read hurry for harry
6. : to record and show : indicate
the thermometer reads zero
7.
a. : to transfer (a pattern) in jacquard weaving to a set of cards by the perforation of each card with a punch
b. : to set up (a loom) for such a patterned fabric
8. : to interpret and perform (a musical passage or composition)
reads Bach with astonishing insight
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to read something
looks as though he's reading
b. : to apply oneself or devote oneself to reading books or other printed or written material
likes to read
c.
(1) : to learn something by reading books or other printed or written material
is reading up on space rockets
(2) : to devote oneself to the special study of something (as by reading books and attending lectures)
read in classics and passed the honors examination — Current Biography
2.
a.
(1) : to give a particular meaning, piece of information, or instruction when read
the book reads in only one unmistakable way
(2) : to produce a particular impression when read
was not sure how the letter would read to her
b.
(1) : to have particular qualities (as of style, organization) that affect comprehension or enjoyment
a book that reads well
(2) : to have particular qualities that favor comprehension and enjoyment
gifted at writing magazine articles that read
3. : to consist of or be drawn up in certain words, phrases, or other similar elements
a passage that reads differently in the older versions
•
- read a lecture
- read the riot act
II. ˈrēd noun
( -s )
: an act or period of reading
thought I would have a read in it presently — Rose Macaulay
III. noun
or reed ˈrēd
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English rede, from Old English rēada
: abomasum
IV. ˈred adjective
Etymology: from past participle of read (I)
: instructed by or informed through reading : learned
far better read than most — B.J.Hendrick
is widely read in contemporary literature
V. transitive verb
1.
a. : to recognize or interpret as if by reading
a good canoeist reads the rapids
also : anticipate
the quarterback was able to read the blitz
b. : to study (a putting green) to predict the movement of the ball ; also : to predict the movement of (a putt) by observation of the green
2.
a. : to acquire (information) from storage ; especially : to sense the meaning of (data) in recorded and coded form — used of a computer or data processor
b. : to read the coded information on (as a floppy disk)
c. : to cause to be read and transferred to storage
read the contents of a punch card into memory
intransitive verb
: to admit of interpretation or consideration as specified
the two panels read as one
that amazing lump of marks and smudges that reads as “nose” — T.B.Hess
VI. noun
1. : something that is read
an old-fashioned good read , bursting with characters and drama and emotion — Jane Clapperton
2. : reading 3