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Webster 1913 Edition

Portray

Por-tray′

,
Verb.
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
,
Verb.
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.

Webster 1828 Edition

Portray

PORTRA'Y

, v.t.
1.
To paint or draw the likeness of any thing in colors; as, to portray a king on horseback; to portray a city or temple with a pencil or with chalk.
2.
To describe in words. It belongs to the historian to portray the character of Alexander of Russia. Homer portrays the character and achievements of his heroes in glowing colors.
3.
To adorn with pictures; as shields portrayed.

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