hermeneutics en · NOUN
Pronunciation
- /ˌhɜːmɪˈnjuːtɪks/ (UK)
- -mĭ-
- hûrˌ-mə-n(y)o͞oˈ-tĭks
- (US) audio
- /ˌhɜːrməˌn(j)uːtɪks/ (US)
Etymology
From Ancient Greek ἑρμηνευτῐκός (hermēneutĭkós, “of or for interpreting”), from ἑρμηνεύω (hermēneúō, “translate, interpret”), from ἑρμηνεύς (hermēneús, “translator, interpreter”); sometimes ascribed as a Carian loanword. By surface analysis, hermeneutic + -s. Folk etymology suggests a connection with Hermes. The term was introduced c. 360 BCE by Aristotle in his text Perì Hermeneías (On Interpretation).
Meanings
-
(countable, uncountable) The study of interpretation, particularly concerning texts, meaning, and understanding. It originates from classical exegesis but was significantly developed in the modern period, especially in relation to phenomenology and existentialism. At its core, hermeneutics addresses the conditions of understanding and the processes by which meaning is constructed.
1885, Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson (original translators and editors), Arthur Cleveland Coxe (editor of American edition), Philip Schaff (also credited as editor), Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers: Series I, I have included in this volume the four books of St. Augustin On Christian Doctrine. It is the first and best patristic work on biblical Hermeneutics, and continued for a thousand years, together with the Prefaces of Jerome, to be the chief exegetical guide. Although it is superseded as a scientific work by modern Hermeneutics and Critical Introductions to the Old and New Testaments, it is not surpassed for originality, depth and spiritual insight.
Usage has restricted the meaning of hermeneutics to the science of Biblical exegesis, that is, to the collection of rules which govern the right interpretation of Sacred Scripture. Exegesis is therefore related to hermeneutics, as language is to grammar, or as reasoning is to logic.
1913, Anthony John Maas, “Hermeneutics”, in Catholic Encyclopedia (1913):SAUNDERS or SANDERS, RICHARD (1613–1687?), astrologer, a native of Warwickshire, was born in 1613, commenced the study of hermeneutics about 1647, and practised astrology and cheiromancy during the golden age of the pseudo-sciences in England.
1885, Thomas Seccombe, “Saunders, Richard (1613-1687?)”, in Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, volume 50:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| hermeneutics | Number=Plur | lexicographic |
Deriveds
hermeneuticist · hermeneutical
Relateds
Translations (69)
el ερμηνευτική (art and science of text interpretation) · ka ჰერმენევტიკა (art and science of text interpretation) · tl palaliwatang-Bibliya (art and science of text interpretation) · de Hermeneutik (art and science of text interpretation) · ja 解釈学 (art and science of text interpretation) · cmn 詮釋學 /诠释学 (art and science of text interpretation) · ro hermeneutică (art and science of text interpretation) · cmn 解釋學 /解释学 (art and science of text interpretation) · hu hermeneutika (art and science of text interpretation) · ar هِرْمِنْيُوطِيقَا (art and science of text interpretation) · vi thuyên thích học (art and science of text interpretation) · nds-de Hermeneutik (art and science of text interpretation) · nb hermeneutikk (art and science of text interpretation) · he פַּרְשָׁנוּת (art and science of text interpretation) · fr herméneutique (art and science of text interpretation) · af hermeneutiek (art and science of text interpretation) · an hermeneutica (art and science of text interpretation) · ar عِلْم التَّأْوِيل (art and science of text interpretation) · et hermeneutika (art and science of text interpretation) · sq hermeneutika (art and science of text interpretation) · tr hermenötik (art and science of text interpretation) · io interpret-arto (art and science of text interpretation) · sk hermeneutika (art and science of text interpretation) · tl palaliwatan (art and science of text interpretation) · sh херменеу̀тика (art and science of text interpretation) · id hermeneutik (art and science of text interpretation) · la hermeneutica (art and science of text interpretation) · eo hermeneŭtiko (art and science of text interpretation) · ky герменевтика (art and science of text interpretation) · es hermenéutica (art and science of text interpretation) · fi hermeneutiikka (art and science of text interpretation) · ms hermeneutik (art and science of text interpretation) · mk херменевтика (art and science of text interpretation) · vi thông diễn học (art and science of text interpretation) · ia hermeneutica (art and science of text interpretation) · gl hermenéutica (art and science of text interpretation) · nn hermeneutikk (art and science of text interpretation) · sv hermeneutik (art and science of text interpretation) · cy esboniadaeth (art and science of text interpretation) · vi thuyên thích luận (art and science of text interpretation) · oc ermeneutica (art and science of text interpretation) · bg херменевтика (art and science of text interpretation) · war hermeneutika (art and science of text interpretation) · hy հերմենևտիկա (art and science of text interpretation) · ca hermenèutica (art and science of text interpretation) · lv hermeneitika (art and science of text interpretation) · kk герменевтика (art and science of text interpretation) · ko 해석학 (art and science of text interpretation) · pl hermeneutyka (art and science of text interpretation) · ga heirméineotaic (art and science of text interpretation) · sh hermeneùtika (art and science of text interpretation) · az hermenevtika (art and science of text interpretation) · grc ἑρμηνεία (art and science of text interpretation) · th อรรถปริวรรตศาสตร์ (art and science of text interpretation) · pt hermenêutica (art and science of text interpretation) · fa هرمنوتیک (art and science of text interpretation) · lt hermeneutika (art and science of text interpretation) · tg герменевтика (art and science of text interpretation) · cs hermeneutika (art and science of text interpretation) · sl hermenevtika (art and science of text interpretation) · ru гермене́втика (art and science of text interpretation) · lb Hermeneutik (art and science of text interpretation) · da hermeneutik (art and science of text interpretation) · be герменеўтыка (art and science of text interpretation) · ast hermenéutica (art and science of text interpretation) · it ermeneutica (art and science of text interpretation) · he הֶרְמֶנוֹיְטִיקָה (art and science of text interpretation) · uk герменевтика (art and science of text interpretation) · nl hermeneutiek (art and science of text interpretation)