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n. 1. a. A written note intended as an explanation, illustration, or criticism of a passage in a book or other writing; an annotation. b. A series of annotations or explanations. 2. a. A statement of fact or opinion, especially a remark that expresses a personal reaction or attitude. b. An implied conclusion or judgment: a novel that is a comment on contemporary lawlessness. 3. Talk; gossip: a divorce that caused much comment. 4. Computers A string of text in a program that does not function in the program itself but is used by the programmer to explain instructions. 5. Linguistics The part of a sentence that provides new information about the topic. Also called rheme. v. com·ment·ed, com·ment·ing, com·ments v.intr. 1. To make a comment; remark. 2. To serve as a judgmental commentary: "Her demise comments on [the Upper East Side's] entire way of life" (Mark Muro). v.tr. To make comments on; annotate. [Middle English, from Late Latin commentum, interpretation, from Latin, contrivance, from neuter past participle of comminīscī, to devise; see men-1 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
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