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Definition of interpretation noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

interpretation

noun
 
/ɪnˌtɜːprəˈteɪʃn/
 
/ɪnˌtɜːrprəˈteɪʃn/
[countable, uncountable]
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  1. the particular way in which something is understood or explained
    • Her evidence suggests a different interpretation of the events.
    • It is not possible for everyone to put their own interpretation on the law.
    • Dreams are open to interpretation (= they can be explained in different ways).
    Extra Examples
    • In any system of law, there is an inevitable element of judicial interpretation.
    • In practice, this law is often given a wide interpretation by the police.
    • It is possible to put an entirely different interpretation on her behaviour.
    • Most modern historians support this interpretation.
    • Scientists made an interpretation based on the data available.
    • She challenges many orthodox interpretations of religious texts.
    • The film lends itself to a fairly straightforward interpretation.
    • The meaning of the incident is open to subjective interpretation.
    • The wording of this section of the contract is open to interpretation.
    • feminist historical interpretations of marriage customs
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • correct
    • right
    • true
    verb + interpretation
    • give something
    • make
    • offer
    phrases
    • put an interpretation on something
    See full entry
  2. the particular way in which somebody chooses to perform a piece of music, a role in a play, etc.
    • a modern interpretation of ‘King Lear’
    Topics Musicc1, Film and theatrec1
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • correct
    • right
    • true
    verb + interpretation
    • give something
    • make
    • offer
    phrases
    • put an interpretation on something
    See full entry
  3. Word Originlate Middle English: from Old French interpretation or Latin interpretatio(n-), from the verb interpretari ‘explain, translate’, from interpres, interpret- ‘agent, translator, interpreter’.
See interpretation in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee interpretation in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
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