translate
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to turn from one language into another or from a foreign language into one's own.
to translate Spanish.
-
to change the form, condition, nature, etc., of; transform; convert.
to translate wishes into deeds.
-
to explain in terms that can be more easily understood; interpret.
-
to bear, carry, or move from one place, position, etc., to another; transfer.
-
Mechanics. to cause (a body) to move without rotation or angular displacement; subject to translation.
-
Computers. to convert (a program, data, code, etc.) from one form to another.
to translate a FORTRAN program into assembly language.
-
Telegraphy. to retransmit or forward (a message), as by a relay.
-
Ecclesiastical.
-
to move (a bishop) from one see to another.
-
to move (a see) from one place to another.
-
to move (relics) from one place to another.
-
-
to convey or remove to heaven without natural death.
-
Mathematics. to perform a translation on (a set, function, etc.).
-
to express the value of (a currency) in a foreign currency by applying the exchange rate.
-
to exalt in spiritual or emotional ecstasy; enrapture.
verb (used without object)
-
to provide or make a translation; act as translator.
-
to admit of translation.
The Greek expression does not translate easily into English.
verb
-
to express or be capable of being expressed in another language or dialect
he translated Shakespeare into Afrikaans
his books translate well
-
(intr) to act as translator
-
(tr) to express or explain in simple or less technical language
-
(tr) to interpret or infer the significance of (gestures, symbols, etc)
-
(tr) to transform or convert
to translate hope into reality
-
(tr; usually passive) biochem to transform the molecular structure of (messenger RNA) into a polypeptide chain by means of the information stored in the genetic code See also transcribe
-
to move or carry from one place or position to another
-
(tr)
-
to transfer (a cleric) from one ecclesiastical office to another
-
to transfer (a see) from one place to another
-
-
(tr) RC Church to transfer (the body or the relics of a saint) from one resting place to another
-
(tr) theol to transfer (a person) from one place or plane of existence to another, as from earth to heaven
-
maths physics to move (a figure or body) laterally, without rotation, dilation, or angular displacement
-
(intr) (of an aircraft, missile, etc) to fly or move from one position to another
-
archaic (tr) to bring to a state of spiritual or emotional ecstasy
Other Word Forms
- half-translated adjective
- intertranslatable adjective
- pretranslate verb (used with object)
- retranslate verb (used with object)
- translatability noun
- translatable adjective
- translatableness noun
- untranslatability noun
- untranslatable adjective
- untranslated adjective
- well-translated adjective
Etymology
Origin of translate
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English translaten, from Latin trānslātus “borne across,” past participle of trānsferre “to bear across,” from trāns- trans- + ferre “to bear, bring, carry” ( bear 1 ); for the suppletive element -lātus, earlier tlātus (unrecorded), thole 2, tolerate
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The institute focuses on accelerating innovative research like Sun's work and helping translate laboratory discoveries into new treatments more quickly.
From Science Daily
“If those cars can be successful in California, will that translate to success throughout the rest of the country and the world?”
From Los Angeles Times
Policy analysts agreed the current plan burdens electric utilities, which could translate into higher bills.
From Los Angeles Times
Some tasks involve translating ancient Palmyrene inscriptions, while others require identifying tiny anatomical structures in birds or analyzing detailed features of Biblical Hebrew pronunciation.
From Science Daily
According to Tourism Economics, the conflict risks triggering up to a 27% annual drop in international visitors to the Middle East this year, translating to as much as $56 billion in losses in visitor spending.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
