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por·trait

(pôrtrĭt, -trāt′)

1. A likeness of a person, especially one showing the face, that is created by a painter or photographer, for example.

2. A verbal representation or description, especially of a person.

3. A dramatic representation of a character: the actor's portrait of the famous general.

4. The orientation of a page such that the longer side runs from top to bottom.

[French, from Old French, image, from past participle of portraire, to portray; see PORTRAY.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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