commentary

[kom-uh n-ter-ee] /ˈkɒm ənˌtɛr i/
noun, plural commentaries.
1.
a series of comments, explanations, or annotations:
a commentary on the Bible; news followed by a commentary.
2.
an explanatory essay or treatise:
a commentary on a play; Blackstone's commentaries on law.
3.
anything serving to illustrate a point, prompt a realization, or exemplify, especially in the case of something unfortunate:
The dropout rate is a sad commentary on our school system.
4.
Usually, commentaries. records of facts or events:
Commentaries written by Roman lawyers give us information on how their courts functioned.
Origin
1375-1425; late Middle English commentaries (plural) < Latin commentārium notebook, noun use of neuter of commentārius, equivalent to comment(um) comment + -ārius -ary
Related forms
commentarial
[kom-uh n-tair-ee-uh l] /ˌkɒm ənˈtɛər i əl/ (Show IPA), adjective
supercommentary, noun, plural supercommentaries.
Examples from the web for commentary
  • He does not so much brag about his achievements as offer a running commentary about the wonder of being himself.
  • It's not everyday that insect folks provide commentary on art.
  • You're welcome to check them all out and root for your favorites by leaving lavish commentary.
  • Radio reporters held microphones toward the commentary coming from the sets.
  • Your dogs have owners, cats have staff commentary is so true.
  • The back of the taxi or match box commentary is rife.
  • My work is not so much a direct commentary as it is an open-ended observation of the absurdities around us.
  • Unless it is commentary intended to either expand awareness, or invoke strong feelings of misanthropy.
  • Both episodes intersperse commentary from paleontologists with computer-generated restorations of the dinosaurs.
  • His political and social commentary catered to the bawdy tastes of the time.
British Dictionary definitions for commentary

commentary

/ˈkɒməntərɪ; -trɪ/
noun (pl) -taries
1.
an explanatory series of notes or comments
2.
a spoken accompaniment to a broadcast, film, etc, esp of a sporting event
3.
an explanatory essay or treatise on a text
4.
(usually pl) a personal record of events or facts: the commentaries of Caesar
Derived Forms
commentarial (ˌkɒmənˈtɛərɪəl) adjective
Word Origin and History for commentary
n.

1530s, from Middle French commentaire, or directly from Latin commentarius "notebook, annotation; diary, memoir," noun use of adjective, "relating to comments," from commentum (see comment (n.)). Perhaps the Latin noun is short for volumen commentarium. Originally in English as an adjective (early 15c.).