Does the word "decipher" mean to interpret or understand....both words are in the dictionary with the explanation and I cant decide...I am leaning towards interpret?
Either will work fine. Do you have a specific sentence you're dealing with? Context always helps.
http://www.answers.com/decipher
The sentence reads...
"It puzzled him to decipher what he saw there."
choices:
interpret
understand
perceive
find
Either "interpret" or "understand" will work, yes. Your teacher probably wants "interpret."
That was my thought also...Thank you
You're welcome.
We are stuck on identifying weather the sentence is a gerund or a participle
The word "decipher" indeed means to interpret or understand. When faced with multiple definitions in the dictionary, it can sometimes be challenging to determine the most appropriate meaning. In these situations, it can be helpful to consider the context in which the word is used.
To make an informed decision, you can follow these steps:
1. Check the dictionary: Look up the word "decipher" in a reliable dictionary. This will provide you with the various definitions and explanations of the word.
2. Read the definitions: Pay attention to the different definitions provided by the dictionary. This will give you a comprehensive understanding of the word and its possible meanings.
3. Analyze the context: Consider the context in which you encountered the word "decipher." Think about the sentence or passage in which it is used and try to identify the intended meaning based on the surrounding words and concepts.
4. Consider synonyms: Another useful strategy is to think about synonyms that are closely related to "decipher." For example, words like "interpret," "decode," or "unravel" tend to have similar meanings. If these synonyms align more closely with the context, it can strengthen your understanding of the word's intended meaning.
Overall, based on the information you provided, your inclination towards "interpret" seems to be valid. However, it's always best to consider the context and review multiple sources to ensure accuracy and clarity.