construe Meaning, Definition & Usage

verb make sense of; assign a meaning to
see; interpret.
- What message do you see in this letter?
- How do you interpret his behavior?

L. construere: cf. F. construire. See Construct.

imperfect & past participle Construed present participle & verbal noun Construing

To apply the rules of syntax to (a sentence or clause) so as to exhibit the structure, arrangement, or connection of, or to discover the sense; to explain the construction of; to interpret; to translate.
To put a construction upon; to explain the sense or intention of; to interpret; to understand.
Thus we are put to construe and paraphrase our own words to free ourselves either from the ignorance or malice of our enemies. Bp. Stilingfleet.

And to be dull was construed to be good. Pope.