[port.fo.lio] n, pl -li.os [It portafoglio, fr. portare to carry (fr. L) + foglio leaf, sheet, fr. L folium--more at blade] (1722) 1: a hinged cover or flexible case for carrying loose papers, pictures, or pamphlets
2. [fr. the use of such a case to carry documents of state]: the office and functions of a minister of state or member of a cabinet
3: the securities held by an investor: the commercial paper held by a financial house (as a bank)
4: a set of pictures (as drawings or photographs) either bound in book form or loose in a folder