translate

[trans-leyt, tranz-, trans-leyt, tranz-]

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.

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

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• translatable adjective
• translatability noun
• translatableness noun
• half-translated adjective
• intertranslatable adjective
• pretranslate verb (used with object)
• retranslate verb (used with object)
• untranslatability noun
• untranslatable adjective
• untranslated adjective
• well-translated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of translate¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of translate¹

C13: from Latin translātus transferred, carried over, from transferre to _transfer

Example Sentences

But their failure to understand and translate this foreign language does not make his preaching any less powerful.

From Salon

The data will be open access, allowing developers to build tools that translate, transcribe and respond in African languages.

From BBC

The exchange was relayed by a Mandarin translator for Putin and a Russian translator for Xi, and has been translated into English by the BBC.

From BBC

There were "a lot of lessons" from his ward, where he had lived since 2000, "that we can translate nationally", he said.

From BBC

That translated into sold-out showings, particularly with younger audiences.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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