Spanish word

lector

Pronunciation

IPA/lekˈtoɾ/

Meaning

  • masculine nounreader

Example

El lector terminó de leer el libro ayer.

The reader finished reading the book yesterday.

Illustration for lector (reader)

More examples

El lector crítico aprecia los matices del autor.

The critical reader appreciates the author's nuances.

Core concept

Person or machine that scans, reads, or digitizes text.

Common phrases

  • lector habitual

    regular reader

  • lector de novelas

    novel reader

  • lector crítico

    critical reader

Similar words

lectora: Woman who reads and understands text in books or on screens.

Definition in Spanish

Persona que interpreta o vocaliza un texto; también aparato o software que lee, procesa o digitaliza información escrita.

Word origin

From Latin legĕre 'to pick out, read' through medieval Latin lector meaning 'reader', with printing and computing broadening the sense to include machines and programs that scan or digitize text.

Usage tips

  • In Spanish usage, context or modifiers (for example 'humano', 'de tarjetas', or 'de códigos') determine whether 'lector' means a human reader or a piece of hardware or software.

Other meanings

  • lay readernoun
  • card readernoun

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word