represent Look up represent at Dictionary.com
late 14c., "to bring to mind by description," also "to symbolize, to be the embodiment of;" from O.Fr. representer (12c.), from L. repręsentare, from re-, intensive prefix, + pręsentare "to present," lit. "to place before" (see present (2)). Legislative sense is attested from 1650s. Representation "image, likeness" is from c.1425; legislative sense first attested 1769.