/pawrt foh"lee oh', pohrt-/ , n. , pl. portfolios .
1. a flat, portable case for carrying loose papers, drawings, etc.
2. such a case for carrying documents of a government department.
3. the total holdings of the securities, commercial paper, etc., of a financial institution or private investor.
4. the office or post of a minister of state or member of a cabinet. Cf. minister without portfolio .
[ 1715-25; portafoglio, equiv. to porta-, s. of portare to carry ( portare ) + foglio leaf, sheet ( folium; see FOIL 2 ) ]