Dictionary-Definition.com :: Construe definition

Definition of 'construe'

verb

Make sense of; assign a meaning to; "What message do you see in this letter?"; "How do you interpret his behavior?" [syn: interpret, construe, see]

From: GCIDE

Construe \Con*strue\ (?; Archaic ?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Construed; p. pr. & vb. n. Construing.] [L. construere: cf. F. construire. See Construct.]
1. To apply the rules of syntax to (a sentence or clause) so as to exhibit the structure, arrangement, or connection of, or to discover the sense; to explain the construction of; to interpret; to translate. [1913 Webster]
2. To put a construction upon; to explain the sense or intention of; to interpret; to understand. [1913 Webster]
Thus we are put to construe and paraphrase our own words to free ourselves either from the ignorance or malice of our enemies. --Bp. Stilingfleet. [1913 Webster]
And to be dull was construed to be good. --Pope. [1913 Webster]