Commentarial Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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commentarial

[ˌkɒmənˈteərɪəl ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

writing

A commentary or explanation on a text, especially a scholarly one.

Synonyms

annotation, exegesis, interpretation.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
commentarial	Typically used in religious or philosophical contexts to describe detailed explanations and reflections on sacred texts. The monk provided a commentarial overview of the holy scriptures. Her commentarial notes on the Bhagavad Gita are highly regarded.
exegesis	Used mainly in theological or literary studies to provide a deep, critical interpretation of a text, often with a focus on uncovering the underlying meaning. The professor's exegesis of the biblical passage was thorough and enlightening. His exegesis of Shakespeare's sonnets revealed new interpretations.
annotation	Generally used in academic or literary contexts to add brief notes or explanations to texts for clarification or further information. The teacher's annotations helped students understand the poem better. He added annotations to the research paper to provide sources for his statements.
interpretation	Commonly used in a broad range of contexts to explain the meaning or significance of something, from artistic works to data. Her interpretation of the painting was unique and thought-provoking. The scientist's interpretation of the experiment results led to new discoveries.

Examples of usage

The professor provided a detailed commentarial on the ancient manuscript.
Her commentarial on the poem shed new light on its meaning.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

Buddhism

A type of Buddhist literature that provides interpretations and explanations of the teachings.

Synonyms

exegesis, explanation, interpretation.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
commentarial	Used in formal and scholarly contexts to describe writings or discussions that provide commentary on a text, particularly religious or philosophical works. The commentarial notes on the ancient manuscript provided a deeper understanding of the author's philosophy
exegesis	Primarily used in religious or academic settings to refer to a critical explanation or interpretation of a text, especially scripture. The professor's exegesis of the ancient scriptures shed new light on their meaning
interpretation	Used when one is explaining the meaning of something, which can be a text, piece of art, or event. It often implies a subjective point of view. His interpretation of the painting highlighted details that many viewers had overlooked
explanation	A general term applicable in everyday situations where there is a need to make something clear or understandable. It is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Her explanation of the complex theory was so clear that even beginners could understand it

Examples of usage

The monk's commentarial on the sutras helped the students understand the deeper meaning.
She studied the commentarial to gain insight into the Buddha's teachings.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Literature

In literature, commentarial works often help readers understand the context of original texts, enhancing comprehension.
Famous commentaries, like those by biblical scholars, have been instrumental in guiding readers through complex texts.
Commentarial poetry exists, where poets explain or reflect on their own works in footnotes or as separate pieces.

Education

Teachers often use commentarial techniques when they guide students through difficult material.
Class discussions can be seen as commentarial spaces where students share their interpretations of texts.
Effective commentarial strategies include summarizing, questioning, and contextualizing information to facilitate learning.

Philosophy

Philosophical texts often require commentarial analysis to unpack dense ideas and arguments.
Many ancient philosophers had disciples who created commentaries to interpret their works for future generations.
Commentarial literature can help bridge the gap between different interpretations of philosophical concepts.

Cultural Studies

In cultural studies, commentarial practices explore how society interprets media, art, and literature.
This approach allows scholars to critique and reflect on cultural phenomena, influencing societal perspectives.
Commentarial insights can be found in various forms, such as documentaries, essays, and podcasts analyzing cultural events.

Origin of 'commentarial'

Main points about word origin

The word comes from the Latin 'commentarius', meaning 'to comment or explain'.
It combines the root 'comment' with the suffix 'arial', which can pertain to the act of making comments.
In various languages, similar-rooted words play a significant role in scholarly discussions.

The word 'commentarial' originates from the Latin word 'commentarius', meaning 'notebook' or 'journal'. Over time, it has evolved to refer to explanatory writings or annotations on various texts, especially in scholarly or religious contexts.

See also: comment, commentary, commentator, comments.