interpretation

plural interpretations

1. countableAn act of interpreting or explaining something unclear; a translation; a version.

   The interpretation of the rules

   2 more examples

   The interpretation of a dream, or of an enigma

   Putting the matter in this way implies a situation in which all social conflicts have disappeared; and this confirms the interpretation according to which Marx and Engels held that the abolition of class divisions would at the same time abolish all other sources of conflict.

   1978 [1976], Leszek Kołakowski, translated by P[aul] S[teven] Falla, Main Currents of Marxism, volume I: The Founders, Oxford: Clarendon Press, translation of Główne nurty marksizmu: powstanie (in Polish), →ISBN, →OCLC, page 360

   Synonyms: gloss

2. countableA sense given by an interpreter; an exposition or explanation given; meaning.

   Commentators give various interpretations of the same passage of Scripture.

   1 more example

   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, Rightness and Reasons: Interpretation in Cultural Practices, →ISBN, page 27

   Synonyms: reading

3. uncountablehuman sciencesThe discipline or study of translating one spoken or signed language into another (as opposed to translation, which concerns itself with written language).

   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: Perspectives on an Emerging Discipline, Cambridge University Press, →ISBN, page 90

   2 more examples

   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, University of Hawaii at Manoa. Translation and Interpreting: Bridging East and West : Selected Conference Papers, University of Hawaii Press, page 11

   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 health care.

   2013, Sana Loue, Handbook of Immigrant Health, Springer Science & Business Media, →ISBN, page 61

   Synonyms: interpreting

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