Middle English Dictionary Entry
interpreten v.
Entry Info
| Forms | interpreten v. Also enterpreten. |
| Etymology | L interpretāri & OF interpreter & entrepreter. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To explain (sth.), interpret (a law, dream, etc.); (b) to translate or etymologize (a word); (c) to act as a translator or interpreter.
Associated quotations
a
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Dan.5.16 : Forsothe I herde of thee that thou mayst interprete [L interpretari] derke thingis.
- (1395) Wycl.37 Concl.(Tit D.1)47 : The pope pretendith that he hath power to enterprete and suspende and make voide other distrie suche lawes at his wille.
- a1425 Wycl.Serm.(Bod 788)1.206 : Princes of prestis..wolen interprete Goddis lawe.
- ?a1425 Mandev.(2) (Eg 1982)22/18 : Þare dwelled Danyel..and þare he interpretid [F fist..exposicioun de] þe kynges dremes.
- (c1449) Pecock Repr.(Cmb Kk.4.26)25 : The wordis so writen withoutforth ouȝten be expowned and be interpretid and brouȝt forto accorde with the doom of resoun.
- (c1449) Pecock Repr.(Cmb Kk.4.26)26 : The doom of resoun ouȝte not forto be expownid, glosid, interpretid, and brouȝte for to accorde with the seid outward writing in Holi Scripture.
b
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Mat.1.23 : His name shal be clepid Emanuel, that is interpretid or expounid, God with us.
- ?a1425 WBible(2) Gloss.Tob.(Cld E.2)5.18 : Azarie is interpretid the helpere of God..Ananye is interpretid the grace of God.
c
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))1 Cor.12.30 : Wher alle speken with langages? wher alle interpreten or expownen?
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))1 Cor.14.27 : Whethir a man spekith in tunge aftir tweyne or as moche thre..that oon interprete.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- a1500 ?Scrope Ribot First Monks (Lamb 192)33/23 : They fleddyn into wyldyrnesse for the blood, the whiche Iezebel pursued aftyr h[ire] name, the whiche is interpretat [L interpretatur] 'the flowyng of blood', sleyng the prophetys of oure Lord.
Note: Additional quote(s) for sense (b). Ed.: "hire name: The name here is Jezebel's."
Note: Latinate p.ppl.
Note: ?Move single interpretate adj. quot. to interpreten v.