Definition of picture

< pictorialize

picture card >

pic·ture    (pkchr) KEY 

NOUN:

1. A visual representation or image painted, drawn, photographed, or otherwise rendered on a flat surface.
2. A visible image, especially one on a flat surface or screen: the picture reflected in the lake; focused the picture on the movie screen.
3. 1. A vivid or realistic verbal description: a Shakespearean picture of guilt.
   2. A vivid mental image.
4. A person or object bearing a marked resemblance to another: She's the picture of her mother.
5. A person, object, or scene that typifies or embodies an emotion, state of mind, or mood: Your face was the very picture of horror.
6. The chief circumstances of an event or time; a situation.
7. A movie.
8. A tableau vivant.

TRANSITIVE VERB:
pic·tured, pic·tur·ing, pic·tures

1. To make a visible representation of.
2. To form a mental image of; visualize.
3. To describe vividly in words; make a verbal picture of: pictured their heroism in glowing language. See Synonyms at represent.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, from Latin pictra, from pictus, painted, past participle of pingere, to paint; see peig- in Indo-European roots