to make a picture of (something or somebody)
to describe or depict (something or somebody), esp in words
a novel portraying life in the armed forces
to represent (somebody or something) in a particular way
The documentary portrayed him as a tyrant
to play the role of (somebody) in a film, play, etc
portrayal noun
portrayer noun
[Middle English portraien via early French portraire from Latin protrahere to draw forth, reveal, expose, from pro-2 + trahere to draw]