Commentary, n.; pl. Commentaries.
Etymology: [L. commentarius, commentarium, note book, commentary: cf. F. commentaire. See Comment, v. i.]
1. A series of comments or annotations; esp., a book of explanations or expositions on the whole or a part of the Scriptures or of some other work. This letter . . . was published by him with a severe commentary. Hallam.
2. A brief account of transactions or events written hastily, as if for a memorandum; -- usually in the plural; as, Caesar's Commentaries on the Gallic War.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for commentary; he lists it under definition.
Where he writes about it:
Definition, explanation, exposition, and interpretation are ordinarily blended in a commentary, which may also include description. — from definition
A comment is upon a single passage; a commentary may be the same, but is usually understood to be a volume of comments. — from definition
Antonyms
none given