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Definition of interpret verb from the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

        

    interpret

     verb
    verb
    NAmE//ɪnˈtərprət//
     
    Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they interpret
     
    he / she / it interprets
     
    past simple interpreted
     
    -ing form interpreting
     
     
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  1. 1[transitive] interpret something to explain the meaning of something The students were asked to interpret the poem.
  2. 2[transitive] to decide that something has a particular meaning and to understand it in this way interpret something as something I didn't know whether to interpret her silence as acceptance or refusal. interpret something The data can be interpreted in many different ways. compare misinterpret
  3. 3[intransitive] interpret (for somebody) to translate one language into another as you hear it She couldn't speak much English so her children had to interpret for her.
  4. 4[transitive] interpret something to perform a piece of music, a role in a play, etc. in a way that shows your feelings about its meaning He interpreted the role with a lot of humor.
interpretable
 
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NAmE//ɪnˈtərprət̮əbl//
 
adjective interpretable data AWL Collocationsinterpretinterpret verb
  • be difficult to
The results of the three studies are inconsistent and difficult to interpret.
  • interpret with caution
The results of this study, however, should be interpreted with caution because of several methodological flaws.
  • interpret within a/the framework
  • interpret within a/the context
The results should be interpreted within the context of a number of underlying assumptions.
  • be interpreted as
Typographical errors may be reasonably interpreted as resulting from carelessness.
  • broadly
  • narrowly, strictly
  • cautiously
  • accurately, correctly
  • erroneously, incorrectly
  • variously
Historians have variously interpreted the treaty's significance. The findings should be interpreted cautiously because of the small sample size.
  • data, finding, result
  • pattern
  • information
  • study
  • meaning
  • behavior
  • theory
  • text
To interpret the results, it is important to understand how the study was organized.interpretation noun
  • broad
  • literal, narrow, strict
  • subjective
  • plausible
  • correct
  • erroneous
Alexander Hamilton advocated a broad interpretation of the Constitution, which President George Washington endorsed.
  • be open to, be subject to
Many ethical issues are complex and subject to multiple interpretations.
  • defy, preclude
  • complicate
  • confound, contradict
  • challenge, refute
  • favor, support
The small sample size precludes further interpretation of this finding.misinterpret verb
  • easily
  • completely
  • willfully
Every clinician is at risk of making an error when confusing or easily misinterpreted abbreviations or symbols are used.misinterpretation noun
  • common
  • gross, serious
  • deliberate
  • possible, potential
These small misinterpretations would often lead to gross misinterpretations of the text as a whole.
  • be open to, be subject to
  • lead to, result in
  • be prone to
  • be based on, rest on
  • avoid, prevent
Unfortunately, his conclusions rested on a misinterpretation of the data.See interpret in the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
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