interpreter
nounUK /ɪnˈtɜː.pɹɪ.tə/ · US /ɪnˈtɝ.pɹɪ.tɚ/
Etymology
From Middle English interpreter, interpretour, etc., from Old French interpreteur, interpreteeur, etc., from Late Latin interpretātōr, from classical Latin interpretātus (“explained, translated”) + -or (“-er: forming agent nouns”), from interpretārī (“to explain, to translate”), from interpres (“go-between, translator”) + -ārī (“to be ~ed”), q.v. In reference to divine emissaries, a calque of Mercury's Latin epithet interpres divum (“go-between of the gods”). In reference to the rhetorical device, a calque of Latin interpretatio. Equivalent to interpret + -er. Displaced native Old English wealhstod.
13 senses
- 1A person or thing that interprets the meaning of…
- 2A person or thing that translates speech or signing, as…
- 3Synonym of translator, one who translates various forms of texts.
- 4Synonym of commentator, one who explains laws or scripture.
- 5Synonym of emissary, particularly in reference to Hermes…
- 6Synonym of guide, one who explains a thing, person, or…
- 7A thing that, figuratively speaking, performs a similar…
- 8Synonym of synonymy, the use of one term to explain another.
- 9Synonym of dictionary or glossary, a book that explains…
- 10A machine that reads the pattern of holes on a punch…
- 11An analyst of reconnaissance photographs.
- 12A program that converts commands into machine language…
- 13A performer who presents a piece of art in a distinct…
A person or thing that interprets the meaning of something for another, particularly
- ... an interpreter of dreams ...
- […] the Priest or Medicine-man […] early appeared on the plantation and found his function as the healer of the sick, the interpreter of the Unknown […] and the one who rudely but picturesquely expressed the longing, disappointment, and resentment of a stolen and oppressed people.1903, W. E. B. Du Bois, chapter 10, in The Souls of Black Folk, Chicago: McClurg, page 196:
› A person or thing that interprets the…
A person or thing that translates speech or signing, as opposed to texts.
- A Japanese man who is tried before a German court is assisted by an interpreter in making oral statements.
- ... when you ſallie vpon him, ſpeake what terrible Language you will: though you vnderſtand it not your ſelues, no matter: for we must not ſeeme to vnderſtand him, vnleſſe ſome one among vs, whom wee must produce for an Interpreter.1623, William Shakespeare, All's Well That Ends Well, Act IV, Scene 1:
4 more examples
- I had many Acquaintance among Persons of the best Fashion, and being always attended by my Interpreter, the Conversation we had was not disagreeable.1726 October 28, [Jonathan Swift], “The Author Leaves Luggnagg, and Sails to Japan. From thence He Returns in a Dutch Ship to Amsterdam, and from Amsterdam to England.”, in Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World. […] [Gulliver’s Travels], volume II, London: […] Benj[amin] Motte, […], →OCLC, part III (A Voyage to Laputa, Balnibarbi, Glubbdubdribb, Luggnagg, and Japan), page 137:
- I can understand German as well as the maniac that invented it, but I talk it best through an interpreter.1880, Mark Twain, chapter 14, in A Tramp Abroad, volume 1, London: Chatto & Windus, page 115:
- 14. A party or witness in any proceedings who does not understand or speak the language in which the proceedings are conducted or who is deaf has the right to the assistance of an interpreter.1982, Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms:
- Once in the classroom the interpreter might inform the deaf person of various auditory information occurring in the environment such as: The teacher has a strong accent. Your hearing aid is making a noise. The fire alarm has gone off!1991, Jerome Daniel Schein et al., Postsecondary Education for Deaf Students:
Obsolete Synonym of translator, one who translates various forms of texts.
Obsolete Synonym of commentator, one who explains laws or scripture.
- ... the holy fathers interpretours of holy scrypture ...1529, Thomas More, Dialogue of Diverse Matters, London: J. Rastell, Book 4, Chapter 6:
- Then said Christian to the Interpreter, Expound this matter more fully to me.1678, John Bunyan, Pilgrim's Progress, section 23:
Obsolete Synonym of emissary, particularly in reference to Hermes or angels as messengers between humans and the divine.
Uncommon Synonym of guide, one who explains a thing, person, or group of people.
- At the historic site, there are a number of interpreters who demonstrate ancient crafts.
- A severe interpreter might say that the mere facts of their relation to each other, the melancholy position of this woman who depended on his will, made a standing banquet for his delight in dominating.1876, George Eliot, Daniel Deronda, Leipzig: B. Tauchnitz, Volume 2, Book 4, Chapter 30, p. 205:
Figuratively A thing that, figuratively speaking, performs a similar role explaining, revealing, or clarifying.
- Leo. ... theſe thy offices (So rarely kind) are as Interpreters Of my behind-hand ſlackneſſe.1623, William Shakespeare, The Winter's Tale, Act V, Scene 1:
- Flowers are the interpreters of love in India, painting in the most vivid but in the softest colours speaking in the sweetest sighs: while each blossom that fades is a mournful remembrancer either of blighted hopes or departed pleasures.1823, Letitia Elizabeth Landon, Forget Me Not 1824, The Indian Orphan, page 67:
1 more example
- ... the modern drama—the strongest and most far-reaching interpreter of our deep-felt dissatisfaction ...1910, Emma Goldman, “The Modern Drama”, in Anarchism and Other Essays, New York: Mother Earth Publishing Association, page 247:
Obsolete Synonym of dictionary or glossary, a book that explains uncommon terms.
Computing, Engineering, Mathematics, Natural sciences, Physical sciences, Sciences Historical A machine that reads the pattern of holes on a punch card and prints its meaning along the top of the card.
Historical An analyst of reconnaissance photographs.
Computing, Engineering, Mathematics, Natural sciences, Physical sciences, Sciences A program that converts commands into machine language in real time rather than compiling it in advance.
- Programs written in BASIC are usually run through an interpreter rather than a compiler.
Entertainment, Lifestyle, Music, Theater A performer who presents a piece of art in a distinct style, particularly so as to make older works relevant to their audience.
- ... one of the foremost interpreters of Beethoven's piano works ...
- Synonyms
- decoder, elucidator, explainer, explicator, expounder, translator, Latiner, latimer, truchman, dragoman, dubash, linguister, cicerone, docent, tour guide, terp
- Derived terms
- conference interpreter, interpretership, interpretess, interpretress, photointerpreter, self-interpreter
- Related terms
- interpret, interpretation, interpretive, interpretorial
- Hypernyms
- computer program
- Hyponyms
- exegete, court interpreter, simultaneous interpreter, parts interpreter, command-line interpreter, first-person interpreter, science interpreter, museum interpreter, parks interpreter, historical interpreter
- Coordinate terms
- compiler