'portray' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'portraire,' where 'por-' meant 'forth' and 'traire' meant 'to draw.'

'portraire' transformed into the Middle English word 'portraien,' and eventually became the modern English word 'portray.'

Initially, it meant 'to draw forth,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to depict or represent visually.'