Emily Dickinson Lexicon

IN-TER-PRET-A'TION, n. [Fr. from L. interpretatio.]

1. The act of interpreting; explanation of unintelligible words in language that is intelligible. Interpretation is the design of translation.
2. The act of expounding or unfolding what is not understood or not obvious; as, the interpretation of dreams and prophecy. Look how we can, or sad or merrily, / Interpretation will misquote our looks. Shak.
3. The sense given by an interpreter; exposition. We sometimes find various interpretations of the same passage of Scripture and other ancient writings.
4. The power of explaining. Bacon.