All 6 Uses of
interpret
in
Moby Dick
- If American and European men-of-war now peacefully ride in once savage harbors, let them fire salutes to the honour and glory of the whale-ship, which originally showed them the way, and first interpreted between them and the savages.
Chpt 22-24 (definition 1)interpreted = translated
- According to this little plan of theirs, the Guernsey-man, under cover of an interpreter's office, was to tell the Captain what he pleased, but as coming from Stubb; and as for Stubb, he was to utter any nonsense that should come uppermost in him during the interview.
Chpt 91-93 (definition 1)interpreter = someone who translates language
- To this gentleman, Stubb was now politely introduced by the Guernsey-man, who at once ostentatiously put on the aspect of interpreting between them.
Chpt 91-93 (definition 1)interpreting = translating
- "He wants you to take a glass of wine with him," said the interpreter.
Chpt 91-93 (definition 1) *interpreter = someone who translates language
- But one morning, turning to pass the doubloon, he seemed to be newly attracted by the strange figures and inscriptions stamped on it, as though now for the first time beginning to interpret for himself in some monomaniac way whatever significance might lurk in them.
Chpt 97-99 (definition 2)interpret = understand (something in a particular way)
- He too has been watching all of these interpreters—myself included—and look now, he comes to read, with that unearthly idiot face.
Chpt 97-99 (definition 2) *interpreters = people who explain things in a particular way
Definitions:
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(1) (interpret as in: interpret Spanish to English) to translate words into spoken words of another language
(This word is especially used in place of translate when the translation is done real-time, or on-the-fly, or immediately as needed.)
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(2) (interpret as in: her interpretation of the data) to understand or explain something in a particular way -- often the meaning or significance of something