Construes

Construes is the third-person singular present tense form of the verb construe. In general, to construe something is to interpret or analyze its meaning, often with the implication of deriving a particular understanding or implication from words, actions, or signs. The sense is commonly used in textual, legal, or analytical contexts.

Etymology and sense: construe derives from Latin construere, meaning to set up or build, which over time developed a figurative sense of assembling meaning from language. In modern English, construe often emphasizes interpretation of language rather than physical construction, and it frequently appears in phrases like “construe as” or “construe the clause.” It is related to, but distinct from, construct in the sense of building something tangible.

Usage and nuances: construe is widely used in law, philosophy, linguistics, and literary analysis. Examples include “The statute can be construed to mean several things,” or “The court construes the contract language in favor of the defendant.” The word implies an act of inference or interpretation that may differ from the speaker’s original intent, and it is common to specify the interpretive direction, such as construe narrowly or construe broadly. The noun forms construction and construal are related, referring to the act or result of interpreting.

See also: construal, construction, construe. While construe shares roots with construct, the former centers on meaning and interpretation rather than physical assembly.