Emily Dickinson Lexicon

REP-RE-SENT', v.t. [s as z. Fr. representer; L. repræsento; re and Low L. præsento, from præsens, present.]

1. To show or exhibit by resemblance. Before him burn / Seven lamps, as in a zodiac, representing / The heavenly tires. – Milton.
2. To describe; to exhibit to the mind in words. The managers of the bank at Genoa have been represented as a second kind of senate. Addison.
3. To exhibit; to show by action; as, a tragedy well represented. – Johnson.
4. To personate; to act the character or to fill the place of another in a play; as, to represent the character of King Richard.
5. To supply the place of; to act as a substitute for another. The parliament of Great Britain represents the nation. The congress of the United States represents the people or nation. The senate is considered as representing the states in their corporate capacity.
6. To show by arguments, reasoning or statement of facts. The memorial represents the situation of the petitioner. Represent to your son the danger of an idle life or profligate company.
7. To stand in the place of, in the right of inheritance. All the branches inherit the same share that their root, whom they represent, would have done. – Blackstone.