What is the definition of construed?

"Construed" is the past participle of the verb "construe." It means to interpret or understand something in a particular way, especially one that is not the most obvious or common interpretation.

Here are some ways "construed" is used:

* "Her silence was construed as agreement." This means her silence was understood to mean she agreed, even though she didn't actually say yes.

* "His actions could be construed as a threat." This means his actions could be interpreted as a threat, even if he didn't intend them to be.

* "The law is often construed differently by different courts." This means that different courts may have different interpretations of what the law means.

Essentially, "construed" emphasizes that the interpretation is not necessarily the only or the most obvious one. It often implies that there is room for debate or disagreement about the true meaning.