hermeneutic

1 of 2

noun

her·​me·​neu·​tic ˌhər-mə-ˈnü-tik 

-ˈnyü-

1

hermeneutics plural in form but singular or plural in construction : the study of the methodological principles of interpretation (as of the Bible)

2

: a method or principle of interpretation

a philosophical hermeneutic

hermeneutic

2 of 2

adjective

her·​me·​neu·​tic ˌhər-mə-ˈnü-tik 

-ˈnyü-

variant of hermeneutical

: of or relating to hermeneutics : interpretative

Examples of hermeneutic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Would the average viewer want to watch a bloodbath of small-ball hermeneutics? — Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026

Many practices of reading and scriptural hermeneutics associated with mysticism arose within the context of medieval Christianity, particularly monasticism. — Simon Critchley, Harper's Magazine, 23 Sep. 2024

Likewise, reading old C code feels like engaging in the hermeneutics of ancient script, while Coq demands the exactitude of proving mathematical theorems. — Sheon Han, WIRED, 4 Mar. 2024

Alderman’s encyclopedic knowledge of everything from cryptographic history to biblical hermeneutics lends the novel a savvy, scholarly gravitas. — Ian Wang, New York Times, 7 Nov. 2023

If Pope Francis can toss away the hermeneutic of continuity, on what basis can defenders of this pontificate oblige me to remain faithful to it? — Michael Brendan Dougherty, National Review, 15 Sep. 2021

Word History

Etymology

Noun

see hermeneutical

First Known Use

Noun

1737, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for hermeneutic

• therapeutic
• antiscorbutic
• chemotherapeutic
• psychotherapeutic
• enzootic
• scorbutic