commentary

A series of comments or annotations; especially, a book of explanations or expositions on the whole or a part of some other work.

Noun

  1. A series of comments or annotations; especially, a book of explanations or expositions on the whole or a part of some other work.
    • This letter […] was published by him with a severe commentary. - 1827, Henry Hallam, The Constitutional History of England from the Accession of Henry VII. to the Death of George II. […], volume (please specify...
    • Under each coin was a circular ticket with written particulars of the specimen accompanying it. For some time Carrados took little interest in these commentaries, but presently Hosier noticed that his guest was...
  2. A brief account of transactions or events written hastily, as if for a memorandum.
    • Caesar's Commentaries on the Gallic War
  3. An oral relation of an event, especially broadcast by television or radio, as it occurs.
    • We listened to the football commentary while watching the match.

Origin

From Middle French commentaire, from Latin commentārius, commentārium (“notebook”), compare French commentaire. See comment.

Forms

commentaries

Synonyms

scholia secondary source

Derived

anti-commentary audio commentary commentarial commentary box commentary track critical commentary DVD commentary metacommentary political commentary running commentary social commentary subcommentary supercommentary