nabob
EnglishMerriam-Webster DictionaryEnglishMerriam-Webster Dictionaryconstrue
construed; construing
Definition (Entry 1 of 2)
- transitive verb
- : to understand or explain the sense or intention of usually in a particular way or with respect to a given set of circumstances //construed my actions as hostile //Her frustration was construed as anger.
- : to analyze the arrangement and connection of words in (a sentence or sentence part) //construe this Latin sentence by Cicero
- intransitive verb
- : to construe a sentence or sentence part especially in connection with translating
Definition (Entry 2 of 2)
- : an act or the result of construing especially by piecemeal translation
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms: Verb
clarify clear (up) demonstrate demystify elucidate explain explicate expound get across illuminate illustrate interpret simplify spell out unriddleAntonyms: Verb
obscureExamples
Verb
- //The way the court construes various words has changed over time.
- //the role of the justices of the Supreme Court in construing the constitution
First Known Use
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2Noun
1844, in the meaning defined aboveHistory and Etymology
Verb
Middle English, from Late Latin construere, from Latin, to constructconstrue
verb
Synonyms & Antonyms
- to make plain or understandable //the role of the justices of the Supreme Court in construing the constitutionSynonymsRelated Wordsdisentangle undo -mw://xlookup/improper'>improper inapposite inappropriate inapt infelicitous unsuitable
construe
construed; construing
Definition (Entry 1 of 2)
- transitive verb
- : to understand or explain the sense or intention of usually in a particular way or with respect to a given set of circumstances //construed my actions as hostile //Her frustration was construed as anger.
- : to analyze the arrangement and connection of words in (a sentence or sentence part) //construe this Latin sentence by Cicero
- intransitive verb
- : to construe a sentence or sentence part especially in connection with translating
Definition (Entry 2 of 2)
- : an act or the result of construing especially by piecemeal translation
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms: Verb
clarify clear (up) demonstrate demystify elucidate explain explicate expound get across illuminate illustrate interpret simplify spell out unriddleAntonyms: Verb
obscureExamples
Verb
- //The way the court construes various words has changed over time.
- //the role of the justices of the Supreme Court in construing the constitution
First Known Use
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2Noun
1844, in the meaning defined aboveHistory and Etymology
Verb
Middle English, from Late Latin construere, from Latin, to constructconstrue
verb
Synonyms & Antonyms
- to make plain or understandable //the role of the justices of the Supreme Court in construing the constitutionSynonyms