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.
© Webster 1913.