Cŏn'strue, v. t.

(formerly pronounced kŏn'stur), v. t. [imp. & p. p. CONSTRUED; p. pr. & vb. n. CONSTRUCTING.] [Lat. construire. See CONSTRUCT.]

1. To exhibit the structure, arrangement, and connection of, as of a sentence or clause; to explain the construction of; to interpret; to translate.
2. 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 from the ignorance or malice of our enemies. Stillingfleet. And to be dull was construed to be good. Pope.