Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Portray \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.

Source : WordNet®

portray
     v 1: portray in words; "The book portrays the actor as a selfish
          person"
     2: make a portrait of; "Goya wanted to portray his mistress,
        the Duchess of Alba" [syn: {depict}, {limn}]
     3: assume or act the character of; "She impersonates Madonna";
        "The actor portrays an elderly, lonely man" [syn: {impersonate}]
     4: represent in a painting, drawing, sculpture, or verbally;
        "The father is portrayed as a good-looking man in this
        painting" [syn: {present}]