portray

Where does the word "portray" come from? It comes from Latin protrahere, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

Portray’s story begins in Latin: protrahere meant “to draw forth.” 'pro-', forth, plus 'trahere', to draw. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as portraire. Also gave 'portrait'. It reached English by 1300s as portray. Actors 'portray' roles from the 1900s. Today, portray means to depict in a work of art.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient protrahere "to draw forth", 'pro-', forth, plus 'trahere', to draw.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval portraire "to draw, depict", also gave 'portrait'.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s portray "to depict", actors 'portray' roles from the 1900s.