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. i. [ imp. & p. p. Commented; p. pr. & vb. n. Commenting. ] [ F. commenter, L. commentari to meditate upon, explain, v. intens. of comminisci, commentus, to reflect upon, invent; com- + the root of meminisse to remember, mens mind. See Mind. ] To make remarks, observations, or criticism; especially, to write notes on the works of an author, with a view to illustrate his meaning, or to explain particular passages; to write annotations; -- often followed by on or upon. [ 1913 Webster ]

A physician to comment on your malady. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Critics . . . proceed to comment on him. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

I must translate and comment. Pope. [ 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 ]

n. One who makes or writes comments; a commentator; an annotator. [ 1913 Webster ]