Reading Theme:
Portrait: Meaning, Examples & Usage (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：a picture of a person's face (portrait)
portrait
/ˈpɔːrtrɪt/
n.
A picture, painting, drawing, or photograph of a person, especially of their face.
a picture of a person's face
➕
/ə ˈpɪktʃər əv ə ˈpɜːrsənz feɪs/
n.
A portrait is a painting, drawing, or photograph that focuses on a person, especially their face, capturing their likeness and expression.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'protrahere' (to draw forth) via Old French 'portraire'.
💡 Mnemonic
Picture a 'port' (carry) with 'trait' (feature) – a portrait carries a person's traits.
📖 Example
My best friend drew a beautiful portrait of me for my birthday.
My closest friend created a lovely portrait of me as a birthday gift.
🔗 Collocations
portrait painter – A painter who specializes in portraits.
portrait session – A scheduled time for taking or painting a portrait.
family portrait – A portrait of a family group.
🔄 Synonyms
likeness (n.) – A representation or resemblance of a person.
painting (n.) – A painted picture of a person.
photograph (n.) – A picture taken by a camera.
🚫 Antonyms
🌱 Derivatives
portraitist (n.) – A person who paints portraits.
portraiture (n.) – The art of making portraits.
portray (v.) – To depict someone in a portrait.
📖 Cultural Story
Derived from Latin 'protrahere' (to draw forth), entering English via French. Historically referred to a painting of a person's face, now any detailed representation.
Meaning 2：a detailed written description (portrait)
portrait
/ˈpɔːrtrɪt/
n.
A detailed written description of someone or something, giving a clear idea of what they are like.
a detailed written description
➕
/ə ˈdiːteɪld ˈrɪtən dɪˈskrɪpʃən/
n.
A portrait can also mean a vivid written or verbal description that gives a clear picture of a person or thing.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
The writer's new book gives a vivid portrait of life in a small coastal village.
The author's latest work provides a lively portrayal of existence in a tiny seaside town.
🔗 Collocations
character portrait – A detailed description of a person's character.
literary portrait – A written portrait in literature.
verbal portrait – A spoken description that vividly depicts someone or something.
🔄 Synonyms
depiction (n.) – A representation in words or pictures.
description (n.) – A written or spoken account of something.
characterization (n.) – The description of the qualities of someone or something.
🚫 Antonyms
outline (n.) – A brief, sketchy description.
🌱 Derivatives
portray (v.) – To describe or depict in words.
portrayal (n.) – The act of describing or depicting.
portraitist (n.) – A person who creates portraits, especially in words.
Wordbook
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