English

Verb

depict ‎(third-person singular simple present depicts, present participle depicting, simple past and past participle depicted)

1. To render a representation of something, using words, sounds, images, or other means.
   • 1984, Lawrence Starr, "Toward a Reevaluation of Gershwin's Porgy and Bess," American Music, vol. 2, no. 2, p. 27,

     The well-known words depict a woman seeking sanctuary in a love relationship form a brutal, rapacious man.

   • 1987, Niall O'Loughlin, "Music Reviews: 20th-century guitar," The Musical Times, vol. 128, no. 1734, p. 443,

     Here the music depicts the delicate pattern of ice on windows.

   • 1994, E. Pennisi, "Breathe (xenon) deeply to see lungs clearly," Science News, vol. 146, no. 5, p. 70 (caption),

     False-color computer images depict lungs removed from a mouse.

Usage notes

• The subjects of the verb include words, music and images.

Synonyms

• portray, supply, figure, express, exhibit, register, show, return, establish, shew, deliver, present, read, indicate, evidence, point, record, testify, fancy, picture, translate, visualize, usher, give, envision, turn in, designate, limn, show up, render, evince, provide, prove, image, yield, demonstrate, fork out, draw, visualise, generate, describe, interpret, project, submit

Related terms

• depiction

Translations

Adjective

depict ‎(not comparable)

1. (obsolete) Depicted.

   (Can we find and add a quotation of Lydgate to this entry?)