interpreter
Language: English
Part of speech: noun
Pronunciation: ipa: /ɪnˈtɝpɹɪɾɚ/
ipa: /ɪnˈtɝpɹɪtɚ/
ipa: /ɪnˈtɜːpɹɪtə/
Forms: form: interpreters
form: interpretour
form: enterpretour
form: enterpretor
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.
Senses: examples: text: ... an interpreter of dreams ...
text: […] 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.
ref: 1903, W. E. B. Du Bois, chapter 10, in The Souls of Black Folk, Chicago: McClurg, page 196:
glosses: A person or thing that interprets the meaning of something for another, particularly
examples: text: A Japanese man who is tried before a German court is assisted by an interpreter in making oral statements.
text: ... [[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.
ref: 1623, William Shakespeare, All's Well That Ends Well, Act IV, Scene 1:
text: I had many Acquaintance among Persons of the best Fashion, and being always attended by my Interpreter, the Conversation we had was not disagreeable.
ref: 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:
text: I can understand German as well as the maniac that invented it, but I talk it best through an interpreter.
ref: 1880, Mark Twain, chapter 14, in A Tramp Abroad, volume 1, London: Chatto & Windus, page 115:
text: 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!
ref: 1991, Jerome Daniel Schein et al., Postsecondary Education for Deaf Students:
text: So began my career as our family’s official interpreter. From then on, I would fill in our blanks, our silences, stutters, whenever I could. I code switched. I took off our language and wore my English, like a mask, so that others would see my face, and therefore yours.
ref: 2019, Ocean Vuong, On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous, Penguin Random House, Part 1:
glosses: A person or thing that interprets the meaning of something for another
A person or thing that translates direct speech or signing.
glosses: A person or thing that interprets the meaning of something for another
Synonym of translator, one who translates various forms of texts.
synonyms: word: translator
word: one who translates various forms of texts
examples: text: ... the holy fathers interpretours of holy scrypture ...
ref: 1529, Thomas More, Dialogue of Diverse Matters, London: J. Rastell, Book 4, Chapter 6:
text: Then said Christian to the Interpreter,
 Expound this matter more fully to me.
ref: 1678, John Bunyan, Pilgrim's Progress, section 23:
glosses: A person or thing that interprets the meaning of something for another
Synonym of commentator, one who explains laws or scripture.
synonyms: word: commentator
word: one who explains laws or scripture
glosses: A person or thing that interprets the meaning of something for another
Synonym of emissary, particularly in reference to Hermes or angels as messengers between humans and the divine.
synonyms: word: emissary
word: particularly in reference to Hermes or angels as messengers between humans and the divine
examples: text: At the historic site, there are a number of interpreters who demonstrate ancient crafts.
text: 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.
ref: 1876, George Eliot, Daniel Deronda, Leipzig: B. Tauchnitz, Volume 2, Book 4, Chapter 30, p. 205:
glosses: A person or thing that interprets the meaning of something for another
Synonym of guide, one who explains a thing, person, or group of people.
synonyms: word: guide
word: one who explains a thing
word: person
word: or group of people
examples: text: Leo. ... theſe thy offices
 (So rarely kind) are as Interpreters
 Of my behind-hand ſlackneſſe.
ref: 1623, William Shakespeare, The Winter's Tale, Act V, Scene 1:
text: 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.
ref: 1823, Letitia Elizabeth Landon, Forget Me Not 1824, The Indian Orphan, page 67:
text: ... the modern drama—the strongest and most far-reaching interpreter of our deep-felt dissatisfaction ...
ref: 1910, Emma Goldman, “The Modern Drama”, in Anarchism and Other Essays, New York: Mother Earth Publishing Association, page 247:
glosses: A person or thing that interprets the meaning of something for another
A thing that, figuratively speaking, performs a similar role explaining, revealing, or clarifying.
glosses: A person or thing that interprets the meaning of something for another
Synonym of synonymy, the use of one term to explain another.
synonyms: word: synonymy
extra: the use of one term to explain another
glosses: A person or thing that interprets the meaning of something for another
Synonym of dictionary or glossary, a book that explains uncommon terms.
synonyms: word: dictionary or glossary
extra: a book that explains uncommon terms
topics: computing
engineering
mathematics
natural-sciences
physical-sciences
sciences
glosses: A person or thing that interprets the meaning of something for another
A machine that reads the pattern of holes on a punch card and prints its meaning along the top of the card.
glosses: A person or thing that interprets the meaning of something for another
An analyst of reconnaissance photographs.
examples: text: Programs written in BASIC are usually run through an interpreter rather than a compiler.
topics: computing
engineering
mathematics
natural-sciences
physical-sciences
sciences
glosses: A person or thing that interprets the meaning of something for another
A program that converts commands into machine language in real time rather than compiling it in advance.
examples: text: ... one of the foremost interpreters of Beethoven's piano works ...
topics: entertainment
lifestyle
music
theater
glosses: A person or thing that interprets the meaning of something for another
A performer who presents a piece of art in a distinct style, particularly so as to make older works relevant to their audience.
Synonyms: word: decoder
word: elucidator
word: explainer
word: explicator
word: expounder
sense: translation
word: translator
sense: translation
word: Latiner
sense: translation
english: archaic or medieval contexts
translation: archaic or medieval contexts
word: latimer
sense: translation
english: archaic or Middle Eastern contexts
translation: archaic or Middle Eastern contexts
word: truchman
sense: translation
word: dragoman
sense: translation
word: dubash
sense: translation
english: colonial contexts, particularly West & Central Africa
translation: colonial contexts, particularly West & Central Africa
word: linguister
sense: guide
word: cicerone
sense: guide
word: docent
sense: guide
word: tour guide
topics: computing
engineering
mathematics
sciences
physical-sciences
natural-sciences
word: terp
Hypernyms: topics: computing
engineering
mathematics
sciences
physical-sciences
natural-sciences
word: computer program
Hyponyms: topics: translation-studies
linguistics
human-sciences
sciences
word: court interpreter
topics: translation-studies
linguistics
human-sciences
sciences
word: simultaneous interpreter
topics: computing
engineering
mathematics
sciences
physical-sciences
natural-sciences
word: parts interpreter
topics: computing
engineering
mathematics
sciences
physical-sciences
natural-sciences
word: command-line interpreter
sense: guide
word: first-person interpreter
sense: guide
word: science interpreter
sense: guide
word: museum interpreter
sense: guide
word: parks interpreter
sense: guide
word: historical interpreter
Coordinate terms: sense: in computing
word: compiler
Derived terms: conference interpreter
interpretership
interpretess
interpretress
photointerpreter
self-interpreter
Related terms: interpret
interpretation
interpretive
interpretorial