portrait

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A painting, drawing, or photograph of a person, especially the face and shoulders.

   A portrait of the queen hung above the fireplace.

2. 2
   noun

   A detailed description of a person or situation in words.

   The novel paints a vivid portrait of city life.

3. 3
   noun

   A page or image orientation that is taller than it is wide.

   Print the document in portrait, not landscape.

From Middle French portraict, pourtraict, nominal use of the past participle of portraire (“portray”), from Latin prōtrahō (< prō- + trahō). Compare typologically English drawing.

Topics