English
interpret
Interpret comes from Old French enterpreter.
- Old Frenchc. 842–1400enterpreter
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500interpreten
- Englishearliest quotation 2013interpret
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Lineage
- Old Frenchc. 842–1400enterpreter
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500interpreten
- Englishearliest quotation 2013interpret
Earliest quotation: 2013, Leo Hickman, How algorithms rule the world: “The use of algorithms in policing is one example…”
The story
From Middle English interpreten, from Old French enterpreter, (French interpréter), from Latin interpretor (‘to explain, expound, interpret’), past participle interpretatus, from interpres (‘an agent, broker, explainer, interpreter, negotiator’), from inter (‘between’) + -pres, probably the root of pretium (‘price’); -pres is probably connected with Ancient Greek φράζειν (phrázein, “to point out, show, explain, declare, speak”), from which φραδή (phradḗ, “understanding”), φράσις (phrásis, “speech”); see phrase.
Every English word from Old French enterpreter
Today it means
verb To decode the meaning of a topic and then act, whether to continue researching the topic, follow through, act in opposition, or further the understanding through sharing an interpretation.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Old French enterpreter / interpret