-comment-

n. [ Cf. OF. comment. ] 1. A remark, observation, or criticism; gossip; discourse; talk. [ 1913 Webster ]

Their lavish comment when her name was named. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A note or observation intended to explain, illustrate, or criticise the meaning of a writing, book, etc.; explanation; annotation; exposition. [ 1913 Webster ]

All the volumes of philosophy,
With all their comments. Prior. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To comment on. [ Archaic. ] Fuller. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Commentaries [ L. commentarius, commentarium, note book, commentary: cf. F. commentaire. See Comment, v. i. ] 1. A series of comments or annotations; esp., a book of explanations or expositions on the whole or a part of the Scriptures or of some other work. [ 1913 Webster ]

This letter . . . was published by him with a severe commentary. Hallam. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A brief account of transactions or events written hastily, as if for a memorandum; -- usually in the plural; as, Caesar's Commentaries on the Gallic War. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A single essay, written or spoken, discussing or explaining a topic, especially regarding a recent event; as, the election report was followed by several commentaries from political analysts. [ PJC ]

4. Something considered as exemplifying or ilustrating a point or opinion; as, the California recall vote is a sad commentary on the frivolous approach of people to politics. [ PJC ]

v. t. & i. [ L. commentatus, p. p. of commentari to meditate. ] To write comments or notes upon; to make comments. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Commentate upon it, and return it enriched. Lamb. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. The act or process of commenting or criticising; exposition. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The spirit of commentation. Whewell. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The result of the labors of a commentator. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. commentator: cf. F. commentateur. ] One who writes a commentary or comments; an expositor; an annotator. [ 1913 Webster ]

The commentator's professed object is to explain, to enforce, to illustrate doctrines claimed as true. Whewell. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Pertaining to the making of commentaries. Whewell. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The office or occupation of a commentator. [ 1913 Webster ]