portraiture

noun

por·​trai·​ture ˈpȯr-trə-ˌchu̇r How to pronounce portraiture (audio)
-chər,
-ˌtyu̇r,
-ˌtu̇r
1
: the making of portraits : portrayal
2

Examples of portraiture in a Sentence

The museum is exhibiting portraiture from the late 19th century.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English purtreiture, portratowre, portrature "representation by painting or drawing, the art of painting or drawing," borrowed from Anglo-French purtraiture (also continental Old French pourtraiture), from purtrait, past participle of purtraire "to represent, depict" + -ure -ure — more at portray

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of portraiture was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Portraiture.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/portraiture. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

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