▪ I. commentator
(ˈkɒmənteɪtə(r))
[In form a. L. commentātor, agent-noun from commentāri (see commentation); hence = ‘inventor, author’ (Tertull.), the modern sense is associated with that of comment, commentary. So mod.F. commentateur.]
† 1. A writer of historical ‘commentaries’, a chronicler. Obs. rare.
| 1432–50 tr. Higden (Rolls) I. 19 We awe not to condempne commentatores and wryters of storyes spekenge diuersely. |
2. a. A writer of expository comments or critical notes on a literary work; the writer of a commentary.
| 1641 J. Jackson True Evang. T. i. 3 A Commentator unto the Text, askes the question. Ibid. iii. 230 Cornelius à Lapide, a..great Commentatour upon holy Scripture. 1655 W. Gurnall Chr. in Arm. iii. §3 (1669) 583/2 It is said of some Commentators, the places on which they treat were plain till they expounded them. 1756–7 tr. Keysler's Trav. (1760) III. 274 The tomb of Accursi, a commentator on the law. 1871 B. Taylor Faust (1875) I. Notes 219 To find in the author of Faust his own best commentator. |
| attrib. 1711 Shaftesbury Charac. (1737) III. 189 In our commentator-capacity. 1833 Edin. Rev. LVII. 426 Commentator-learning heaped upon the ‘Divine Comedy’. |
b. One who gives a commentary (commentary n. 3 c).
| 1928 B.B.C. Handbk. 141/1 In addition to expert knowledge, the sporting commentator must also obviously have a good voice and great fluency. 1935 Punch 19 June 722/1 If Perry puts a forehand drive into the far corner, right or left, the commentator has to say so in so many words. 1968 Who's Who 1168/2 Glendenning, Raymond Carl, Sports Commentator, Journalist and Publicity Consultant. |
c. One who reports or comments on current events, esp. on radio or television. orig. U.S.
| 1938 Encycl. Brit. Bk. of Yr. 123/2 Experienced radio commentators are free to voice every kind of opinion. 1941 B.B.C. Gloss. Broadc. Terms 6 Commentator, person who broadcasts views on current affairs. Hence news commentator. 1970 Observer 21 June 28/4 This election, treated as usual as a kind of endurance test for commentators on both channels is still..going on. |
▪ II. commentator
obs. f. commendator.