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Interpreter
Definitions
- 1 A person or thing that interprets the meaning of something for another, particularly
"... an interpreter of dreams ..."
- 2 (computer science) a program that translates and executes source language statements one line at a time wordnet
- 3 A person or thing that interprets the meaning of something for another; 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."
- 4 someone who mediates between speakers of different languages wordnet
- 5 A person or thing that interprets the meaning of something for another; Synonym of translator, one who translates various forms of texts. obsolete
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- 6 someone who uses art to represent something wordnet
- 7 A person or thing that interprets the meaning of something for another; Synonym of commentator, one who explains laws or scripture. obsolete
"... the holy fathers interpretours of holy scrypture ..."
- 8 an advocate who represents someone else's policy or purpose wordnet
- 9 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. obsolete
- 10 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. uncommon
"At the historic site, there are a number of interpreters who demonstrate ancient crafts."
- 11 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. figuratively
"Leo. ... theſe thy offices (So rarely kind) are as Interpreters Of my behind-hand ſlackneſſe."
- 12 A person or thing that interprets the meaning of something for another; Synonym of synonymy, the use of one term to explain another. obsolete, rhetoric
- 13 A person or thing that interprets the meaning of something for another; Synonym of dictionary or glossary, a book that explains uncommon terms. obsolete
- 14 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. historical
- 15 A person or thing that interprets the meaning of something for another; An analyst of reconnaissance photographs. historical
- 16 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.
"Programs written in BASIC are usually run through an interpreter rather than a compiler."
- 17 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.
"... one of the foremost interpreters of Beethoven's piano works ..."
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.
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