Added 9 October 2026
interpreter
/ɪnˈtɜː.pɹɪ.tə/ noun
In Latin: interpres, interprex Wiktionary
noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about interpreter at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
- Someone who mediates between speakers of different languages.
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Someone who uses art to represent something.
his paintings reveal a sensitive interpreter of nature
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An advocate who represents someone else's policy or purpose.
the meeting was attended by spokespersons for all the major organs of government
Origin
From Middle English interpreter, interpretour, etc., from Old French interpreteur, interpreteeur, etc., from Late Latin interpretātōr, from classical Latin interpretātus (“explained, translated”) + -or (“-er: forming agent nouns”), from interpretārī (“to explain, to translate”), from interpres (“go-between, translator”) + -ārī (“to be ~ed”), q.v. In reference to divine emissaries, a calque of Mercury's Latin epithet interpres divum (“go-between of the gods”). In reference to the rhetorical device, a calque of Latin interpretatio. Equivalent to interpret + -er. Displaced native Old English wealhstod.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)