Represent
/ˌrɛprɪˈzɛnt/noun
To speak, act, or stand in for someone or something, or to portray something again.
Did you know?Represent comes from Latin re- + praesentare, and the same root behind “present” is tied to being made to stand before you — one of language’s oldest ideas of manifestation and presence.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
repraesentare
“to bring before, exhibit, display; make present”
Late Latin
Latin
repraesentare
“to present again or in return; to make appear immediately”
Old French
Old French
representer
“to show, portray, depict; to set forth”
Middle English
English
repre(s)enten
“to portray, show, or act on behalf of”
Modern English
English
represent
“to speak, act, or stand in for someone or something; to portray or depict”
Explore more surprising origins