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portray |
2 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: 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. Take a tile, and lay it before thee, and portray upon it the city, even Jerusalem. --Ezek. iv 1. 2. Hence figuratively, to describe in words 3. To adorn with pictures. [R.] Spear and helmets thronged, and shields Various with boastful arguments potrayed. --Milton. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: portray v 1: portray in words "The book portrays the actor as a selfish person" 2: make a portrait of: "showing society what it looked like..portraying..its ugliness and its beauties.." [syn: {depict}, {limn}] 3: assume or act the character of "She impersonates Madonna" [syn: {impersonate}] 4: represent in a painting, drawing, sculpture, or verbally; "The father is portrayed as a coward in this play" [syn: {present}]
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