hermeneutics
Americannoun
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the science of interpretation, especially of the Scriptures.
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the branch of theology that deals with the principles of Biblical exegesis.
noun
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the science of interpretation, esp of Scripture
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the branch of theology that deals with the principles and methodology of exegesis
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philosophy
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the study and interpretation of human behaviour and social institutions
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(in existentialist thought) discussion of the purpose of life
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Etymology
Origin of hermeneutics
First recorded in 1730–40; see origin at hermeneutic, -ics
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Explanation
Hermeneutics is a fancy word for interpretation. If you're interested in understanding the Bible on a deeper level, you might want to try hermeneutics. In Greek mythology, Hermes was the God of many things, including language and writing. He was every English teacher's dream. The word hermeneutics means the interpretation of language, whether written or spoken. Generally, hermeneutics is an activity that interests biblical scholars, and the word is sometimes used in philosophy as well. If you enjoy sitting in a library poring over the same book for hours from every angle, then you will love hermeneutics.
Vocabulary lists containing hermeneutics
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.
In the study of hermeneutics, this is a technique known as proof texting: starting with a particular belief and working backward to find a biblical passage that seems to support this idea.
From Salon ● Aug. 27, 2023
In particular, scholarship in the disciplines of hermeneutics and phenomenology questioned what we can know and how we should approach the acquisition of knowledge.
From Textbooks ● Jun. 15, 2022
Sharpton was at the lectern letting his words roar and flow, telling stories that circled back on each other in the familiar hermeneutics of black preachers.
From Washington Post ● Jun. 4, 2020
Joyce’s mythic scaffolding and verbal play identified him to academia as being essential both to modernism and to the project of hermeneutics.
From The Guardian ● Mar. 18, 2017
Nor was he a superficial student merely; and his opponents well knew that in him they had found no mean adept in philosophy, theology, hermeneutics and ecclesiastical history.
From History of Rationalism Embracing a Survey of the Present State of Protestant Theology by J. F. (John Fletcher) Hurst
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.
