interpreter

The story

1. Latin · derived frominterpretatio
2. Latin · derived frominterpretātus“explained, translated”
3. Late Latin · derived frominterpretātōr
4. Old French · derived frominterpreteur
5. Middle English · inherited frominterpreter
6. English todayinterpreter

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.

Words from the same roots

First known use, by meaning

• 1384 A person or thing that translates speech or signing, as opposed to texts.
• 1400 Synonym of translator, one who translates various forms of texts.
• 1440 Synonym of commentator, one who explains laws or scripture.
• 1490 Synonym of emissary, particularly in reference to Hermes or angels as messengers between humans and the divine.
• 1531 Synonym of guide, one who explains a thing, person, or group of people.
• 1589 Synonym of synonymy, the use of one term to explain another.
• 1607 Synonym of dictionary or glossary, a book that explains uncommon terms.
• 1936 A machine that reads the pattern of holes on a punch card and prints its meaning along the top of the card.