Here's a breakdown of the etymology:
* Protrahere: This Latin verb meant "to draw forth" or "to bring out."
* Portraicture: In Old French, this word evolved from the Latin "protrahere" and meant "a drawing, likeness, or representation."
* Portrait: This English word evolved from the Old French "portraicture" and came to mean "a painting, drawing, or photograph of a person, especially the face."
Therefore, the origin of the word "portrait" can be traced back to the Latin verb "protrahere," which referred to the act of "drawing forth" or "bringing out" a likeness of someone. This meaning has evolved over time to encompass any visual representation of a person, whether it be a painting, drawing, photograph, or even a sculpture.