v.
(past and past part. read)
- look at and understand the meaning of (written or printed matter) by interpreting the characters or symbols of which it is composed.
▸speak (written or printed words) aloud.
▸habitually read (a newspaper or periodical).
▸(of a passage, text, or sign) have a certain wording.
- discover (information) by reading it in a written or printed source.
▸
[
as adj. read]
having a specified level of knowledge as a result of reading:
she was well read.
- understand or interpret the nature or significance of.
▸(of a piece of writing) convey a specified impression to the reader:
the note read like a cry for help.
- inspect and record the figure indicated on (a measuring instrument).
▸indicate a specified measurement or figure.
- chiefly Brit. study (an academic subject) at a university.
- (of a computer) copy or transfer (data).
▸enter or extract (data) in an electronic storage device.
- present (a bill or other measure) before a legislative assembly.
- hear and understand the words of (someone speaking on a radio transmitter).
n.
- chiefly Brit. a period or act of reading.
- informal a book considered in terms of its readability.
Phrase
- read between the lines
look for or discover a meaning that is implied rather than explicit. - read someone's mind
(or thoughts)
discern what someone is thinking. - read my lips
N. Amer. informal listen carefully.
Phrase verbal
- read something into
attribute a meaning or significance to (something) that it may not possess. - read someone out of
chiefly US formally expel someone from. - read up on
acquire information about (a subject) by reading.
Etymology
OE rædan, of Gmc origin; early senses included ‘advise’ and ‘interpret a riddle or dream’.