from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Portray \Por*tray"\, v. t. [Written also {pourtray}.] [imp. & p.
p. {portrayed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Portraying}.] [OE.
pourtraien, OF. portraire, pourtraire, F. portraire, fr. L.
protrahere, protractum, to draw or drag forth; pro forward,
forth + trahere to draw. See {Trace}, v. t., and cf.
{Protract}.]
1. To paint or draw the likeness of; as, to portray a king on
horseback.
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Take a tile, and lay it before thee, and portray
upon it the city, even Jerusalem. --Ezek. iv. 1.
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2. Hence, figuratively, to describe in words.
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3. To adorn with pictures. [R.]
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Spear and helmets thronged, and shields
Various with boastful arguments potrayed. --Milton.
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