translate

American  

[trans-leyt, tranz-, trans-leyt, tranz-] / trænsˈleɪt, trænz-, ˈtræns leɪt, ˈtrænz- /

verb (used with object)

translated, translating

1. to turn from one language into another or from a foreign language into one's own.

   to translate Spanish.

2. to change the form, condition, nature, etc., of; transform; convert.

   to translate wishes into deeds.

3. to explain in terms that can be more easily understood; interpret.

4. to bear, carry, or move from one place, position, etc., to another; transfer.

5. Mechanics. to cause (a body) to move without rotation or angular displacement; subject to translation.

6. Computers. to convert (a program, data, code, etc.) from one form to another.

   to translate a FORTRAN program into assembly language.

7. Telegraphy. to retransmit or forward (a message), as by a relay.

8. Ecclesiastical.

   1. to move (a bishop) from one see to another.

   2. to move (a see) from one place to another.

   3. to move (relics) from one place to another.

9. to convey or remove to heaven without natural death.

10. Mathematics. to perform a translation on (a set, function, etc.).

11. to express the value of (a currency) in a foreign currency by applying the exchange rate.

12. to exalt in spiritual or emotional ecstasy; enrapture.

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verb (used without object)

translated, translating

1. to provide or make a translation; act as translator.

2. to admit of translation.

   The Greek expression does not translate easily into English.

translate British  

/ trænsˈleɪt, trænz- /

verb

1. to express or be capable of being expressed in another language or dialect

   he translated Shakespeare into Afrikaans

   his books translate well

2. (intr) to act as translator

3. (tr) to express or explain in simple or less technical language

4. (tr) to interpret or infer the significance of (gestures, symbols, etc)

5. (tr) to transform or convert

   to translate hope into reality

6. (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

7. to move or carry from one place or position to another

8. (tr)

   1. to transfer (a cleric) from one ecclesiastical office to another

   2. to transfer (a see) from one place to another

9. (tr) RC Church to transfer (the body or the relics of a saint) from one resting place to another

10. (tr) theol to transfer (a person) from one place or plane of existence to another, as from earth to heaven

11. maths physics to move (a figure or body) laterally, without rotation, dilation, or angular displacement

12. (intr) (of an aircraft, missile, etc) to fly or move from one position to another

13. archaic (tr) to bring to a state of spiritual or emotional ecstasy

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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

If that pace held steady for the month, that could translate to a December private payroll gain of as much as 45,000 on Wednesday, writes Samuel Tombs, chief U.S. economist with Pantheon Macroeconomics.

From Barron's

Hopefully, the Street’s optimism about some industrial stocks translates into better performance for more of the manufacturing sector.

From Barron's

Physicians have said Denmark’s vaccine recommendations and coverage are informed by a far smaller population and nationalized healthcare system—an approach that doesn’t necessarily translate to the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal

Because Iran’s oil infrastructure is far better maintained than Venezuela’s, even modest policy shifts could translate into hundreds of thousands of barrels a day returning to the market on a much shorter timeline.

From Barron's

However, the technology for now is being put to work at very specialized tasks -- in gadgets that translate languages during conversations, say, or monitor health symptoms, or provide information on people's surroundings through smart glasses.

From Barron's

Related Words

• convert
• decipher
• put
• render
• spell out
• transcribe
• turn