interpreter

[ in-tur-pri-ter ]

noun

1. a person who interprets.
2. a person who provides an oral translation between speakers who speak different languages.
3. Computers.
   1. hardware or software that transforms one statement at a time of a program written in a high-level language into a sequence of machine actions and executes the statement immediately before going on to transform the next statement. Compare compiler ( def 2 ).
   2. an electromechanical device that reads the patterns of holes in punched cards and prints the same data on the cards, so that they can be read more conveniently by people.

interpreter

/ ɪnˈtɜːprɪtə /

noun

1. a person who translates orally from one language into another
2. a person who interprets the work of others
3. computing
   1. a program that translates a second program to machine code one statement at a time and causes the execution of the resulting code as soon as the translation is completed
   2. a machine that interprets the holes in a punched card and prints the corresponding characters on that card

Derived Forms

• inˈterpreterˌship, noun
• inˈterpretress, noun:feminine

Word History and Origins

Origin of interpreter¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English interpretour, from Anglo-French; equivalent to interpret + -er ²

Example Sentences

Speaking through an interpreter, Ms Ahmed told the inquest she wanted to know the exact cause of the fire so nobody else would have to go through what she had.

From BBC

There are limits, some would argue, to how far a work can be remade in the image of its interpreter.

From Los Angeles Times

The top court is the final court of appeal, the final interpreter of the constitution and its judgements, which are binding on all other courts in India, routinely make news - although judges seldom do.

From BBC

At a recent bilingual candidate debate, De León spoke mostly in rapid-fire Spanish, while Jurado, relying on an interpreter and a discreetly hidden earpiece, gave all but her final remarks in English.

From Los Angeles Times

Maisie has attended the same school since nursery and has always had a one-to-one sign interpreter.

From BBC

Related Words

• artist
• commentator
• editor
• exponent
• linguist
• philosopher
• scholar
• writer