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read1

[reed]
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verb (used with object), read [red] /rɛd/, read·ing [ree-ding] /ˈri dɪŋ/.
  1. to look at carefully so as to understand the meaning of (something written, printed, etc.): to read a book; to read music.
  2. to utter aloud or render in speech (something written, printed, etc.): reading a story to his children; The actor read his lines in a booming voice.
  3. to have such knowledge of (a language) as to be able to understand things written in it: to be able to read French.
  4. to apprehend the meaning of (signs, characters, etc.) otherwise than with the eyes, as by means of the fingers: to read Braille.
  5. to apprehend or interpret the meaning of (gestures, movements, signals, or the like): to read a semaphore; to read sign language.
  6. to make out the significance of by scrutiny or observation: to read the cloudy sky as the threat of a storm; a fisherman skilled in reading a stream for potential pools.
  7. to anticipate, expect, or calculate by observation: At the line of scrimmage, the quarterback read a blitz and called an audible.
  8. to foresee, foretell, or predict: to read a person's fortune in tea leaves.
  9. to make out the character, motivations, desires, etc., of (a person or persons), as by the interpretation of outward signs.
  10. to interpret or attribute a meaning to (a written text), a musical composition, etc.): How do you read this clause in the contract?
  11. to infer (something not expressed or directly indicated) from what is read, considered, or observed: He read an underlying sarcasm into her letter. In your silence I read agreement to my plan.
  12. to adopt or give as a reading in a particular passage: For “one thousand” another version reads “ten thousand.”
  13. to substitute or replace (a particular word or phrase) in a written text, usually to correct an error: Read “cavalry” for “calvary.”
  14. to check (printers' proofs, copy, etc.) for errors; proofread.
  15. to register or indicate, as a thermometer, clock, etc.
  16. Computers. to obtain (data, programs, or control information) from an external storage medium or some other source and place in memory.
  17. British. to study (a subject), as at a university: to read law.
  18. to read the work of (an author): She is reading Kafka.
  19. to learn by or as if by reading: to read a person's thoughts.
  20. to hear and understand (a transmitted radio message or the person transmitting it); receive: I read you loud and clear.
  21. to bring, put, etc., by reading: to read oneself to sleep.
  22. to give one (a lecture or lesson) by way of admonition or rebuke.
  23. to discover or explain the meaning of (a riddle, dream, etc.).
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verb (used without object), read [red] /rɛd/, read·ing [ree-ding] /ˈri dɪŋ/.
  1. to read or peruse written or printed matter.
  2. to utter aloud or render in speech written or printed words that one is perusing: to read to a person.
  3. to give a public reading or recital.
  4. to inspect and apprehend the meaning of written or other signs or characters.
  5. to occupy oneself seriously with reading or study.
  6. to obtain knowledge or learn of something by reading.
  7. to admit of being read, especially properly or well.
  8. to have a certain wording.
  9. to admit of being interpreted: a rule that reads in two different ways.
  10. to register or indicate particular information, as the status or condition of something: Her blood pressure is reading a little low today.
  11. to have an effect or make an impression; show forth: Those battle photographs read with great impact.
  12. Computers. to read data, programs, or control information.
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noun
  1. an act or instance of reading: Give the agreement a careful read before you sign it.
  2. something that is read: Her new novel is a wonderful read.
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Verb Phrases
  1. read in, Computers. to place (data, programs, or control information) in memory.
  2. read out,
    1. to read aloud, as for someone's attention.
    2. Computers.to retrieve (information) from a computer.
  3. read out of, to oust from membership in (a political party or other group) by a public announcement of dismissal: He was read out of the association because of alleged subversive activities.
  4. read up on, to learn about by reading; gather information on; research by reading: You'd better read up on World War I before taking the history test.
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Idioms
  1. read between the lines. line1(def 82).
  2. read for, (of an actor) to audition for (a role, a play, etc.).
  3. read lips, to study the lip movements of a speaker who cannot be heard so as to determine the words being uttered.
  4. read the green, Golf. green(def 33).
  5. read the riot act. Riot Act(def 2).
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Origin of read1

before 900; Middle English reden, Old English rǣdan to counsel, read; cognate with Dutch raden, German raten, Old Norse rātha; akin to Sanskrit rādhnoti (he) achieves

Synonyms

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1. peruse, scan, note, study.

read2

[red]
adjective
  1. having knowledge gained by reading (usually used in combination): a well-read person.
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Origin of read2

First recorded in 1580–90; past participle of read1

Read

[reed]
noun
  1. George,1733–98, American political leader: served in the Continental Congress 1774–77.
  2. Sir Herbert,1893–1968, English critic and poet.
  3. a male given name: from an Old English word meaning “red.”
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Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

scanstudygatherseeknowlearntranslateinterpretviewreciteshowexplaindeliversayutterannounceholddisplayspeakapprehend

Examples from the Web for read

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

  • "Here's a fine letter to read on a hot day," called Percival.

    The Spenders

    Harry Leon Wilson

  • I've always been taken with the chap; and I'm very glad you read him correctly.

    The Spenders

    Harry Leon Wilson

  • The feelings with which Robert read and his mother listened to this letter, were varied.

    Brave and Bold

    Horatio Alger

  • Sorcery reads backwards—and I saw him so read from that scroll of his.

    The Armourer's Prentices

    Charlotte M. Yonge

  • I'm always amused when I read about the suffering in the tenements.

    The Spenders

    Harry Leon Wilson

British Dictionary definitions for read

read1

verb reads, reading or read (rɛd)
  1. to comprehend the meaning of (something written or printed) by looking at and interpreting the written or printed characters
  2. to be occupied in such an activityhe was reading all day
  3. (when tr , often foll by out) to look at, interpret, and speak aloud (something written or printed)he read to us from the Bible
  4. (tr) to interpret the significance or meaning of through scrutiny and recognitionhe read the sky and predicted rain; to read a map
  5. (tr) to interpret or understand the meaning of (signs, characters, etc) other than by visual meansto read Braille
  6. (tr) to have sufficient knowledge of (a language) to understand the written or printed worddo you read German?
  7. (tr) to discover or make out the true nature or mood ofto read someone's mind
  8. to interpret or understand (something read) in a specified way, or (of something read) to convey a particular meaning or impressionI read this speech as satire; this book reads well
  9. (tr) to adopt as a reading in a particular passagefor ``boon'' read ``bone''
  10. (intr) to have or contain a certain form or wordingthe sentence reads as follows
  11. to undertake a course of study in (a subject)to read history; read for the bar
  12. to gain knowledge by readinghe read about the war
  13. (tr) to register, indicate, or showthe meter reads 100
  14. (tr) to bring or put into a specified condition by readingto read a child to sleep
  15. (tr) to hear and understand, esp when using a two-way radiowe are reading you loud and clear
  16. computing to obtain (data) from a storage device, such as magnetic tapeCompare write (def. 16)
  17. (tr) to understand (written or printed music) by interpretation of the notes on the staff and to be able to reproduce the musical sounds represented by these notes
  18. read a lesson or read a lecture informal to censure or reprimand, esp in a long-winded manner
  19. read between the lines to perceive or deduce a meaning that is hidden or implied rather than being openly stated
  20. you wouldn't read about it Australian informal an expression of dismay, disgust, or disbelief
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noun
  1. matter suitable for readingthis new book is a very good read
  2. the act of reading
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See also read in, read into, read out, read up

Word Origin

Old English rǣdan to advise, explain; related to Old Frisian rēda, Old High German rātan, Gothic garēdan

read2

verb
  1. the past tense and past participle of read 1
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adjective
  1. having knowledge gained from books (esp in the phrases widely read, well-read)
  2. take something as read to take something for granted as a fact; understand or presume
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for read

v.

Old English rædan (West Saxon), redan (Anglian) "to advise, counsel, persuade; discuss, deliberate; rule, guide; arrange, equip; forebode; read, explain; learn by reading; put in order" (related to ræd, red "advice"), from Proto-Germanic *raedanan (cf. Old Norse raða, Old Frisian reda, Dutch raden, Old High German ratan, German raten "to advise, counsel, guess"), from PIE root *re(i)- "to reason, count" (cf. Sanskrit radh- "to succeed, accomplish," Greek arithmos "number amount," Old Church Slavonic raditi "to take thought, attend to," Old Irish im-radim "to deliberate, consider"). Words from this root in most modern Germanic languages still mean "counsel, advise."

Sense of "make out the character of (a person)" is attested from 1610s. Connected to riddle via notion of "interpret." Transference to "understand the meaning of written symbols" is unique to Old English and (perhaps under English influence) Old Norse raða. Most languages use a word rooted in the idea of "gather up" as their word for "read" (cf. French lire, from Latin legere). Read up "study" is from 1842; read out (v.) "expel by proclamation" (Society of Friends) is from 1788. read-only in computer jargon is recorded from 1961.

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n.

"an act of reading," 1825, from read (v.).

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adj.

1580s, "having knowledge gained from reading," in well-read, etc., past participle adjective from read (v.).

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper

Idioms and Phrases with read

read

In addition to the idioms beginning with read

  • read a lecture
  • read between the lines
  • read into
  • read like an open book
  • read out of
  • read someone's mind
  • read the riot act
  • read up

also see:

  • do you read me
  • open book, read like an
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The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.