interpretation
Pluralinterpretations
- 1The meaning that someone gives to something when they explain it.
Like two people looking at the same cloud and each seeing a different shape.
Her interpretation of the poem was different from mine.
The judge offered a clear interpretation of the new rule.
Similarreading, explanation, understanding, construction, analysis
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- 2The act of explaining something that is hard to understand, or putting it into other words.
Like turning a menu in a foreign language into words you can read.
Their interpretation of the contract took the lawyers several hours.
His interpretation of the old letter helped the class understand it.
Similargloss
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- 3An artist's personal way of showing an idea or feeling through their work.
Like two singers performing the same song in their own style.
The pianist's interpretation of the slow movement moved many listeners to tears.
Each painter brought a fresh interpretation to the same quiet landscape.
Similarrendition, rendering, reading, version, performance
- 4The skill or study of changing spoken or signed words from one language into another as people speak.
Like a bridge of words built in real time between two people who speak differently.
She studied interpretation so she could work at international meetings.
Simultaneous interpretation means translating a speaker's words almost as soon as they say them.
Similarinterpreting
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- 5The ability to explain things clearly.
Like a guide who can make a hard topic feel simple.
His powers of interpretation made even the hardest texts clear to students.
Good teaching depends on a real gift for interpretation.
Similarexplanation, elucidation, exposition, analysis
- 6Using general rules to explain the results found in certain special cases.
Like using a recipe's general rules to figure out one particular dish.
The scientist's interpretation of the data leaned on well-known physical laws.
Each interpretation of the experiment applied the same theory to a new situation.
Similaranalysis, explanation, reading
- 7A simple way of putting parts of a math theory into everyday words.
Like a plain-words summary that says what the formulas really mean.
A clear interpretation turns the equations into ideas people can picture.
Teachers use a simple interpretation to explain the theory in plain language.
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- 8A way of giving each basic statement in a logic system a value of true or false.
Like a light switch for each statement, set to either on for true or off for false.
Under one interpretation the sentence is true, and under another it is false.
Each interpretation gives every basic statement a value of true or false.
Similarvaluation
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- 9Short for heritage interpretation. It means explaining historic or natural sites to visitors.
The museum expanded its interpretation to include hands-on exhibits for children.
Visitor interpretation at the battlefield includes guided walks and short audio tours.
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Practice
Can you tell the meanings of interpretation apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.
Origin
It comes from Latin interpretātiō, from the verb interpretor, meaning 'to explain or interpret'. It is 'interpret' plus '-ation'.