interpreter

Noun

interpreter (plural interpreters)

1. A person or thing that interprets the meaning of something for another, particularly
   • ... an interpreter of dreams ...
   • […] the Priest or Medicine-man […] early appeared on the plantation and found his function as the healer of the sick, the interpreter of the Unknown […] and the one who rudely but picturesquely expressed the longing, disappointment, and resentment of a stolen and oppressed people.1903, W. E. B. Du Bois, chapter 10, in The Souls of Black Folk, Chicago: McClurg, page 196
2. A person or thing that translates speech or signing, as opposed to texts.
   • A Japanese man who is tried before a German court is assisted by an interpreter in making oral statements.
   • ... when you ſallie vpon him, ſpeake what terrible Language you will: though you vnderſtand it not your ſelues, no matter: for we must not ſeeme to vnderſtand him, vnleſſe ſome one among vs, whom wee must produce for an Interpreter.1623, William Shakespeare, All's Well That Ends Well, Act IV, Scene 1
3. (obsolete) Synonym of translator, one who translates various forms of texts.

   Synonyms:

   translator, one who translates various forms of texts, Latiner, latimer, truchman, dragoman, dubash, linguister

4. (obsolete) Synonym of commentator, one who explains laws or scripture.
   • ... the holy fathers interpretours of holy scrypture ...1529, Thomas More, Dialogue of Diverse Matters, London: J. Rastell, Book 4, Chapter 6
   • Then said Christian to the Interpreter,
     Expound this matter more fully to me.1678, John Bunyan, Pilgrim's Progress, section 23

   Synonyms:

   commentator, one who explains laws or scripture

5. (obsolete) Synonym of emissary, particularly in reference to Hermes or angels as messengers between humans and the divine.

   Synonyms:

   emissary, particularly in reference to Hermes or angels as messengers between humans and the divine

6. (uncommon) Synonym of guide, one who explains a thing, person, or group of people.
   • At the historic site, there are a number of interpreters who demonstrate ancient crafts.
   • A severe interpreter might say that the mere facts of their relation to each other, the melancholy position of this woman who depended on his will, made a standing banquet for his delight in dominating.1876, George Eliot, Daniel Deronda, Leipzig: B. Tauchnitz, Volume 2, Book 4, Chapter 30, p. 205

   Synonyms:

   guide, one who explains a thing, person, or group of people, cicerone, docent, tour guide

7. (figuratively) A thing that, figuratively speaking, performs a similar role explaining, revealing, or clarifying.
   • Leo. ... theſe thy offices
     (So rarely kind) are as Interpreters
     Of my behind-hand ſlackneſſe.1623, William Shakespeare, The Winter's Tale, Act V, Scene 1
   • Flowers are the interpreters of love in India, painting in the most vivid but in the softest colours speaking in the sweetest sighs: while each blossom that fades is a mournful remembrancer either of blighted hopes or departed pleasures.1823, Letitia Elizabeth Landon, Forget Me Not 1824, The Indian Orphan, page 67
8. (obsolete, rhetoric) Synonym of synonymy, the use of one term to explain another.

   Synonyms:

   synonymy

9. (obsolete) Synonym of dictionary or glossary, a book that explains uncommon terms.

   Synonyms:

   dictionary or glossary

10. (historical) A machine that reads the pattern of holes on a punch card and prints its meaning along the top of the card.
11. (historical) An analyst of reconnaissance photographs.
12. A program that converts commands into machine language in real time rather than compiling it in advance.
    • Programs written in BASIC are usually run through an interpreter rather than a compiler.
13. A performer who presents a piece of art in a distinct style, particularly so as to make older works relevant to their audience.
    • ... one of the foremost interpreters of Beethoven's piano works ...