portfolio

[ pawrt-foh-lee-oh, pohrt- ]
/ pɔrtˈfoʊ liˌoʊ, poʊrt- /

noun, plural port·fo·li·os.

a flat, portable case for carrying loose papers, drawings, etc.
such a case for carrying documents of a government department.
the total holdings of the securities, commercial paper, etc., of a financial institution or private investor.
the office or post of a minister of state or member of a cabinet.

Origin of portfolio

1715–25; < Italian portafoglio, equivalent to porta-, stem of portare to carry (< Latin portāre) + foglio leaf, sheet (< Latin folium; see foil2)

Example sentences from the Web for portfolio

British Dictionary definitions for portfolio

portfolio
/ (pɔːtˈfəʊlɪəʊ) /

noun plural -os

a flat case, esp of leather, used for carrying maps, drawings, etc
the contents of such a case, such as drawings, paintings, or photographs, that demonstrate recent work an art student's portfolio
such a case used for carrying ministerial or state papers
the responsibilities or role of the head of a government department the portfolio for foreign affairs
Minister without portfolio a cabinet minister who is not responsible for any government department
the complete investments held by an individual investor or by a financial organization

Word Origin for portfolio

C18: from Italian portafoglio, from portāre to carry + foglio leaf, paper, from Latin folium leaf