n. pl. com·men·tar·ies 1. a. Explanation or interpretation in the form of a series of comments or observations: "The Spectator was a widely appreciated model of urbane social commentary mingled with popularized philosophy" (Leo Damrosch). b. An ongoing series of spoken remarks, especially during a television or radio broadcast of an event: Two retired players did the commentary for the game. 2. An apt explanation or illustration: a scandal that is a sad commentary on national politics. 3. often commentaries a. An expository treatise or series of annotations; an exegesis: a commentary on Plato's Republic; biblical commentaries. b. A narrative of historical events of which one has personal experience: Caesar's commentaries on the war in Gaul. com′men·tari·al (-târē-əl) adj. |
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