Main Entry: ¹read

Pronunciation: \ˈrēd\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): read \ˈred\; read·ing \ˈrē-diŋ\

Etymology: Middle English reden to advise, interpret, read, from Old English rǣdan; akin to Old High German rātan to advise, Sanskrit rādhnoti he achieves, prepares

Date: before 12th century

transitive verb 1 a (1) : to receive or take in the sense of (as letters or symbols) especially by sight or touch (2) : to study the movements of (as lips) with mental formulation of the communication expressed (3) : to utter aloud the printed or written words of <read them a story> b : to learn from what one has seen or found in writing or printing c : to deliver aloud by or as if by reading; specifically : to utter interpretively d (1) : to become acquainted with or look over the contents of (as a book) (2) : to make a study of <read law> (3) : to read the works of e : to check (as copy or proof) for errors f (1) : to receive and understand (a voice message) by radio (2) : understand, comprehend
2 a : to interpret the meaning or significance of <read palms> b : foretell, predict <able to read his fortune>
3 : to recognize or interpret as if by reading: as a : to learn the nature of by observing outward expression or signs <reads him like a book> b : to note the action or characteristics of in order to anticipate what will happen <a good canoeist reads the rapids> <a golfer reading a green>; also : to predict the movement of (a putt) by reading a green c : to anticipate by observation of an opponent's position or movement <read a blitz>
4 a : to attribute a meaning to (as something read) : interpret <how do you read this passage> b : to attribute (a meaning) to something read or considered <read a nonexistent meaning into her words>
5 : to use as a substitute for or in preference to another word or phrase in a particular passage, text, or version <read hurry for harry> —often used to introduce a clarifying substitute for a euphemistic or misleading word or phrase <a friendly, read nosy, coworker>
6 : indicate <the thermometer reads zero>
7 : to interpret (a musical work) in performance
8 a : to acquire (information) from storage; especially : to sense the meaning of (data) in recorded and coded form —used of a computer or data processor b : to read the coded information on (as a floppy disk)intransitive verb 1 a : to perform the act of reading words : read something b (1) : to learn something by reading (2) : to pursue a course of study
2 a : to yield a particular meaning or impression when read b : to be readable or read in a particular manner or to a particular degree <this book reads smoothly>
3 : to consist of specific words, phrases, or other similar elements <a passage that reads differently in older versions>

— read between the lines : to understand more than is directly stated

— read the riot act 1 : to order a mob to disperse
2 a : to order or warn to cease something b : to protest vehemently c : to reprimand severely