comment

[kom-ent] /ˈkɒm ɛnt/
noun
1.
a remark, observation, or criticism:
a comment about the weather.
2.
gossip; talk:
His frequent absences gave rise to comment.
3.
a criticism or interpretation, often by implication or suggestion:
The play is a comment on modern society.
4.
a note in explanation, expansion, or criticism of a passage in a book, article, or the like; annotation.
5.
explanatory or critical matter added to a text.
6.
Also called rheme. Linguistics. the part of a sentence that communicates new information about the topic.
Compare topic (def 4).
verb (used without object)
7.
to make remarks, observations, or criticisms:
He refused to comment on the decision of the court.
8.
to write explanatory or critical notes upon a text.
verb (used with object)
9.
to make comments or remarks on; furnish with comments; annotate.
Origin
1350-1400; Middle English coment < Latin commentum device, fabrication (Late Latin: interpretation, commentary), noun use of neuter of commentus (past participle of comminīscī to devise), equivalent to com- com- + men- (base of mēns, mentis mind) + -tus past participle ending
Related forms
commentable, adjective
commenter, noun
precomment, noun, verb
uncommented, adjective
uncommenting, adjective
undercomment, noun
undercomment, verb
Can be confused
comment, commentate (see usage note at commentate)
Synonyms
1. See remark. 4. addendum, commentary. 8. annotate, elucidate.
Examples from the web for comments
  • The first two comments point out a problem with a non-lawn solution: the initial cost of plants is much higher than sod.
  • Sometimes professors want changes in the nature of the comments.
  • Develop a thick enough skin that you can read the negative student comments without getting offended.
  • Those nasty comments will come up in the report as well.
  • The cavalcade provoked no comments from the spectators, nor was any word uttered by the escort.
  • The tedium of the journey is beguiled by discussions on portents and comments on the dishonesty of lawyers.
  • There are two further points on which some comments should be made.
  • Most of our misfortunes are more supportable than the comments of our friends upon them.
  • With an absurd air of importance he talked aloud, giving instructions, making comments on life.
  • His comments on the scripture consist in extracts from the ancient fathers.
British Dictionary definitions for comments

comment

/ˈkɒmɛnt/
noun
1.
a remark, criticism, or observation
2.
talk or gossip
3.
a note explaining or criticizing a passage in a text
4.
explanatory or critical matter added to a text
verb
5.
when intr, often foll by on; when tr, takes a clause as object. to remark or express an opinion
6.
(intransitive) to write notes explaining or criticizing a text
Derived Forms
commenter, noun
Word Origin
C15: from Latin commentum invention, from comminiscī to contrive, related to mens mind
Word Origin and History for comments

comment

n.

late 14c., from Old French coment "commentary" or directly from Late Latin commentum "comment, interpretation," in classical Latin "invention, fabrication, fiction," neuter past participle of comminisci "to contrive, devise," from com-, intensive prefix (see com-), + base of meminisse "to remember," related to mens (genitive mentis) "mind" (see mind (n.)). The Latin word meaning "something invented" was taken by Isidore and other Christian theologians for "interpretation, annotation." No comment as a stock refusal to answer a journalist's question is first recorded 1950, from Truman's White House press secretary, Charles Ross.

v.

early 15c., from Middle French commenter (15c.), from Latin commentari, from commentum (see comment (n.)). Related: Commented; commenting.