Tafsir
Tafsir (Arabic: تفسير, translit. Tafsīr, Meaning: interpretation) is the Arabic word for exegesis, usually of the Qur'an. An author of tafsir is a mufassir (Arabic: مُفسر, mufassir, plural: Arabic: مفسرون, mufassirūn). A Quranic tafsir will often explain content and provide places and times, not contained in Quranic verses, as well as give the different views and opinions of scholars on the verse.
Etymology
The word tafsīr is derived from the Arabic root, F-S-R which means to explain, to expound, to disclose. In Islamic contexts, it is defined as understanding and uncovering the Will of Allah which has been conveyed by the Qur'anic text, by means of the Arabic language and one’s own knowledge. This definition includes;
determining the style of the text and its eloquence
defining unknown or otherwise less used words
the clarification of the meanings of verses
extraction of laws and rulings
explaining the underlying thoughts in metaphors and figurative speech
reconciling verses that seem contradictory