picture
n
a a visual representation of something, such as a person or scene, produced on a surface, as in a photograph, painting, etc.
b (as modifier)
picture gallery, picture postcard Related adj →
pictorial
2 a mental image or impression
a clear picture of events
3 a verbal description, esp. one that is vivid
4 a situation considered as an observable scene
the political picture
5 a person or thing that bears a close resemblance to another
he was the picture of his father
6 a person, scene, etc., considered as typifying a particular state or quality
the picture of despair
7 a beautiful person or scene
you'll look a picture
8 a complete image on a television screen, comprising two interlaced fields
b (as modifier)
picture theatre
10 ♦
the pictures (Chiefly Brit. and Austral) a cinema or film show
11 another name for →
tableau vivant
12 ♦
get the picture
Informal to understand a situation
13 ♦
in the picture informed about a given situation
vb tr
14 to visualize or imagine
15 to describe or depict, esp. vividly
16 often passive to put in a picture or make a picture of they were pictured sitting on the rocks (C15: from Latin pictura painting, from pingere to paint)
living picture
n another term for →
tableau vivant
motion picture
n a U.S. and Canadian term for →
film →
1
moving picture
n a U.S. and Canadian name for →
film →
1
picture card
n another name for →
court card
picture hat
n a decorated hat with a very wide brim, esp. as worn by women in paintings by Gainsborough and Reynolds
picture house
n (Chiefly Brit) an old-fashioned name for →
cinema →
1a
picture moulding
n
1 the edge around a framed picture
2 (Also called)
picture rail the moulding or rail near the top of a wall from which pictures can be hung
picture palace
n (Brit) an old-fashioned name for →
cinema →
1a
picture tube
n another name for →
television tube
picture window
n a large window having a single pane of glass, usually placed so that it overlooks a view
picture writing
n
1 any writing system that uses pictographs
2 a system of artistic expression and communication using pictures or symbolic figures
word picture
n a verbal description, esp. a vivid one