interpretation

Noun

1. An act of interpreting or explaining something unclear; a translation; a version.
   • The interpretation of a dream, or of an enigma
   • The interpretation of the rules

   Synonyms: gloss

2. A sense given by an interpreter; an exposition or explanation given; meaning.
   • Commentators give various interpretations of the same passage of Scripture.
   • Again, the multiplist would hold that the grounds for separating admissible from inadmissible interpretations cannot be the same as the grounds for preferability among admissible interpretations. - 1993, Michael Krausz,...

   Synonyms: reading

3. The discipline or study of translating one spoken or signed language into another (as opposed to translation, which concerns itself with written language).
   • I believe that interpretation, particularly consecutive interpretation, is an art. I also believe, however, that the skill of consecutive interpretation can be taught, but only up to a point. - 1994, Richard K. Seymour,...
   • Interpretation studies is a young discipline, much younger than translation studies, and it cannot claim a long tradition and history of reflexions ^([sic]) and studies. - 2002, Alessandra Riccardi, Translation Studies:...
   • The most pervasive need of non-English-speaking immigrants and refugees is interpretation for every English transaction. Interpretation is needed in stores, schools, and job training, and it is of critical importance in...

   Synonyms: interpreting

   Hyponyms: simultaneous interpretation consecutive interpretation

4. The power of explaining.
5. An artist's way of expressing thought or embodying a conception of nature through art.
6. An act or process of applying general principles or formulae to the explanation of the results obtained in special cases.
7. An approximation that allows aspects of a mathematical theory to be discussed in ordinary language.
8. An assignment of a truth value to each propositional symbol of a propositional calculus.
9. Short for heritage interpretation