Library / English Dictionary

    INTERPRETER

    Pronunciation (US): Play  (GB): Play

     I. (noun) 

    Sense 1

    Meaning:

    (computer science) a program that translates and executes source language statements one line at a timeplay

    Synonyms:

    interpreter; interpretive program

    Classified under:

    Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

    Hypernyms ("interpreter" is a kind of...):

    computer program; computer programme; program; programme ((computer science) a sequence of instructions that a computer can interpret and execute)

    Domain category:

    computer science; computing (the branch of engineering science that studies (with the aid of computers) computable processes and structures)

    Derivation:

    interpret (restate (words) from one language into another language)

    Sense 2

    Meaning:

    Someone who mediates between speakers of different languagesplay

    Synonyms:

    interpreter; translator

    Classified under:

    Nouns denoting people

    Hypernyms ("interpreter" is a kind of...):

    go-between; intercessor; intermediary; intermediator; mediator (a negotiator who acts as a link between parties)

    Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "interpreter"):

    dragoman (an interpreter and guide in the Near East; in the Ottoman Empire in the 18th and 19th centuries a translator of European languages for the Turkish and Arab authorities and most dragomans were Greek (many reached high positions in the government))

    symboliser; symbolist; symbolizer (someone skilled in the interpretation or representation of symbols)

    Instance hyponyms:

    Edward Fitzgerald; Fitzgerald (English poet remembered primarily for his free translation of the poetry of Omar Khayyam (1809-1883))

    Benjamin Jowett; Jowett (English classical scholar noted for his translations of Plato and Aristotle (1817-1893))

    Tindal; Tindale; Tyndale; William Tindal; William Tindale; William Tyndale (English translator and Protestant martyr; his translation of the Bible into English (which later formed the basis for the King James Version) aroused ecclesiastical opposition; he left England in 1524 and was burned at the stake in Antwerp as a heretic (1494-1536))

    Bishop Ulfila; Bishop Ulfilas; Bishop Wulfila; Ulfila; Ulfilas; Wulfila (a Christian believed to be of Cappadocian descent who became bishop of the Visigoths in 341 and translated the Bible from Greek into Gothic; traditionally held to have invented the Gothic alphabet (311-382))

    Derivation:

    interpret (restate (words) from one language into another language)

    Sense 3

    Meaning:

    Someone who uses art to represent somethingplay

    Example:

    she was famous as an interpreter of Shakespearean roles

    Classified under:

    Nouns denoting people

    Hypernyms ("interpreter" is a kind of...):

    individual; mortal; person; somebody; someone; soul (a human being)

    Derivation:

    interpret (create an image or likeness of)

    interpret (give an interpretation or rendition of)

    Sense 4

    Meaning:

    An advocate who represents someone else's policy or purposeplay

    Example:

    the meeting was attended by spokespersons for all the major organs of government

    Synonyms:

    interpreter; representative; spokesperson; voice

    Classified under:

    Nouns denoting people

    Hypernyms ("interpreter" is a kind of...):

    advocate; advocator; exponent; proponent (a person who pleads for a cause or propounds an idea)

    Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "interpreter"):

    ambassador (an informal representative)

    flack; flack catcher; flak; flak catcher (a slick spokesperson who can turn any criticism to the advantage of their employer)

    mouth; mouthpiece (a spokesperson (as a lawyer))

    spokesman (a male spokesperson)

    spokeswoman (a female spokesperson)

    bagman; commercial traveler; commercial traveller; roadman; traveling salesman; travelling salesman (a salesman who travels to call on customers)

    Credits

     Context examples: 

    A Greek friend had come to see him upon business, he said, and as he could speak nothing but his own tongue, the services of an interpreter were indispensable.

    (The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

    To this the king returned some answer, which, although I could not understand, yet I replied as I had been directed: Fluft drin yalerick dwuldom prastrad mirpush, which properly signifies, My tongue is in the mouth of my friend; and by this expression was meant, that I desired leave to bring my interpreter; whereupon the young man already mentioned was accordingly introduced, by whose intervention I answered as many questions as his majesty could put in above an hour.

    (Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

    He had been taken swiftly to Beckenham, and had acted as interpreter in a second interview, even more dramatic than the first, in which the two Englishmen had menaced their prisoner with instant death if he did not comply with their demands.

    (The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

    They provided me with carriages and servants, and bore my charges to Yedo; where I was admitted to an audience, and delivered my letter, which was opened with great ceremony, and explained to the Emperor by an interpreter, who then gave me notice, by his majesty’s order, that I should signify my request, and, whatever it were, it should be granted, for the sake of his royal brother of Luggnagg.

    (Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

    We may need an interpreter.

    (The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

    I hired a young man, who came in the same ship, to be an interpreter; he was a native of Luggnagg, but had lived some years at Maldonada, and was a perfect master of both languages.

    (Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

    “Well then, it was Monday night—only two days ago, you understand—that all this happened. I am an interpreter, as perhaps my neighbour there has told you. I interpret all languages—or nearly all—but as I am a Greek by birth and with a Grecian name, it is with that particular tongue that I am principally associated. For many years I have been the chief Greek interpreter in London, and my name is very well known in the hotels.

    (The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

    However, since the king was pleased to allow me access to his royal person, I was resolved, upon the very first occasion, to deliver my opinion to him on this matter freely and at large, by the help of my interpreter; and whether he would please to take my advice or not, yet in one thing I was determined, that his majesty having frequently offered me an establishment in this country, I would, with great thankfulness, accept the favour, and pass my life here in the conversation of those superior beings the struldbrugs, if they would please to admit me.

    (Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

    Indeed, so distorted were their features that, save for his black beard and stout figure, we might have failed to recognise in one of them the Greek interpreter who had parted from us only a few hours before at the Diogenes Club.

    (The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

    I returned my thanks, by the interpreter, for so unusual a favour; and some troops being at that time on their march to Nangasac, the commanding officer had orders to convey me safe thither, with particular instructions about the business of the crucifix.

    (Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)


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