"act of portraying," 1834, from portray + -al (2). The idea formerly was expressed by portray (n.), 1610s.

1560s, "marking out of a precise form" (now obsolete); see characterize + noun ending -ation. The meaning "description of essential features, portrayal in words" is from 1814.

"the art of making portraits; a painting, picture, or drawing," late 14c., from Old French portraiture "portrait, image, portrayal, resemblance" (12c.), from portrait (see portrait).

"act of portraying; a portrayal, a likeness," 1680s, from French depiction, from Late Latin depictionem (nominative depictio) "painting, description," noun of action from Latin depictus, past participle of depingere "to portray, paint, sketch; describe, imagine," from de "down" (see de-) + pingere "to paint" (see paint (v.)).