Interpretation, n.
Etymology: [L. interpretatio: cf. F. interprétation.]
1. The act of interpreting; explanation of what is obscure; translation; version; construction; as, the interpretation of a foreign language, of a dream, or of an enigma. Look how we can, or sad or merrily, Interpretation will misquote our looks. Shak.
2. The sense given by an interpreter; exposition or explanation given; meaning; as, commentators give various interpretations of the same passage of Scripture.
3. The power or explaining. [R.] Bacon.
4. (Fine Arts)
4 more senses
An artist's way of expressing his thought or embodying his conception of nature.
5. (Math.)
The act or process of applying general principles or formulæ to the explanation of the results obtained in special cases.
Syn. -- Explanation; solution; translation; version; sense; exposition; rendering; definition.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for interpretation; he lists it under definition.
Where he writes about it:
Interpretation is ordinarily from one language into another, or from the language of one period into that of another; it may also be a statement giving the doubtful or hidden meaning of that which is recondite or perplexing; as, the interpretation of a dream, a riddle, or of some difficult passage. — from definition
Definition, explanation, exposition, and interpretation are ordinarily blended in a commentary, which may also include description. — from definition