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depiction

[dih-pik-shuh n]
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noun
  1. representation in image form, as in a painting or illustration: Picasso's painting Guernica is an accurate depiction of the horrors of war.
  2. representation or characterization in words: Mark Twain's letters are a clear depiction of his life and times.
  3. an act or instance of depicting.
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depict

[dih-pikt]
verb (used with object)
  1. to represent by or as if by painting; portray; delineate.
  2. to represent or characterize in words; describe.
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Origin of depict

1625–35; < Latin dēpictus (past participle of dēpingere), equivalent to dē- de- + pic- past participle stem of pingere to paint + -tus past participle suffix
Related formsde·pict·er, de·pic·tor, nounde·pic·tion, nounde·pic·tive, adjectiveun·de·pict·ed, adjectivewell-de·pict·ed, adjective

Synonyms

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1. reproduce, draw, paint, limn.

Synonym study

1, 2. Depict, portray, sketch imply a representation of an object or scene by colors or lines, or by words. Depict emphasizes vividness of detail: to depict the confusion of departure. Portray emphasizes faithful representation: We could not portray the anguish of the exiles. Sketch suggests the drawing of the outlines of the most prominent features or details, often in a preparatory way: to sketch the plans for a community development.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for depictions

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

  • Was there pose in these depictions of Mr. Hugo Canning as a morose recluse?

    V. V.'s Eyes

    Henry Sydnor Harrison

  • He finally thought he saw a halo around the orator's head, like the one seen in the old masters' depictions of saints.

    The Battle of Principles

    Newell Dwight Hillis

British Dictionary definitions for depictions

depict

verb (tr)
  1. to represent by or as by drawing, sculpture, painting, etc; delineate; portray
  2. to represent in words; describe
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Derived Formsdepicter or depictor, noundepiction, noundepictive, adjective

Word Origin

C17: from Latin dēpingere, from pingere to paint
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for depictions

depiction

n.

1680s, from French depiction, from Late Latin depictionem (nominative depictio) "painting, description," noun of action from Latin depictus (see depict).

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depict

v.

early 15c., from Latin depictus, past participle of depingere "to portray, paint, sketch; describe, imagine," from de- "down" (see de-) + pingere "to paint" (see paint (v.)). Related: Depicted; depicting.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper