Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • transitive verb To depict or represent pictorially; make a picture of.
  • transitive verb To describe or represent in words.
  • transitive verb To describe or depict in a certain way.
  • transitive verb To represent dramatically, as on the stage.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • To depict; reproduce the lineaments of; draw or paint to the life.
  • To depict or describe vividly in words; describe graphically or vividly.
  • To adorn with pictures or portraits.
  • Synonyms and To delineate, sketch, represent.
  • To paint.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • transitive verb To paint or draw the likeness of.
  • transitive verb Hence, figuratively, to describe in words.
  • transitive verb rare To adorn with pictures.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • verb To paint or draw the likeness of.
  • verb figuratively To describe in words; to convey.
  • verb To play a role; to depict a character or person.
  • verb To adorn with pictures.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • verb make a portrait of
  • verb represent abstractly, for example in a painting, drawing, or sculpture
  • verb assume or act the character of
  • verb portray in words

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[Middle English portraien, from Old French portraire : por-, forth (from Latin prō-, forth; see pro–) + traire, to draw (from Latin trahere, to drag).]

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

Middle French portraire.

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