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picro-
picrotoxin
Pict
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pictograph
Pictor
pictorial
pictorialism
picture
picture book
picture card
picture hanger
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picture-in-picture
picture library
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picture

pic·ture [ píkchər ]


noun  (plural pic·tures)
Definition:
 
1. something drawn or painted: a shape or set of shapes and lines drawn, painted, or printed on paper, canvas, or some other flat surface, especially shapes that represent a recognizable form or object

2. photog 
Same as  photograph


3. TV image: the image on a television screen

4. movie: a motion picture

5. mental image: a vivid image or impression in the mind of how somebody or something looks

6. artistic description or representation: a description or representation of something in writing, in a film, in music, or some other art form

7. observed situation: a situation in its context
get the picture

8. embodiment or epitome: a typical or perfect example of the way something looks, or somebody or something that embodies a quality or state perfectly
She was the picture of health.

9. somebody who closely resembles another: somebody who closely resembles somebody else
She's the absolute picture of her grandmother.



plural noun pic·tures 
Definition:
 
U.K. the movies: a movie theater or movie show ( dated informal )
go to the pictures



transitive verb  (past and past participle pic·tured, present participle pic·tur·ing, 3rd person present singular pic·tures)
Definition:
 
1. imagine something: to imagine or have an image of somebody or something in mind

2. describe something: to describe somebody or something in a particular way

3. feature picture of somebody: to feature a picture, especially a photograph, of somebody or something in a newspaper, magazine, or book ( often passive )

[15th century. < Latin pictura< pictus, past participle of pingere "to paint"]

get the picture to understand the situation (informal)

put somebody in the picture to acquaint somebody with the facts of a situation


Cultural Note

The Picture of Dorian Gray, a novel (1890) by Irish writer Oscar Wilde. In Wilde's update of the Faust legend, the decadent young gentleman Dorian Gray trades his soul for eternal youth and beauty, but is subsequently tormented by a portrait of himself that constantly changes to reflect the ravages of time and of his debauched lifestyle. It was made into a movie by Albert Lewin in 1945.

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