ˌreprə̇ˌzen.ˈtāshən, -prēˌz-, -zən.-, in rapid speech often ÷ -pə(ˌ)z-, chiefly in substand speech -pər(ˌ)z- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English representacion, from Middle French representation, from Latin repraesentation-, repraesentatio, from repraesentatus (past participle of repraesentare to represent) + -ion-, -io -ion
1. : one that represents or is represented: as
a. : a likeness, picture, model, or other reproduction
representations in pottery of frogs and turtles — Times Literary Supplement
an allegorical representation … decorates the main pediment — American Guide Series: Michigan
b.
(1) : a statement or account especially made to convey a particular view or impression of something with the intention of influencing opinion or action
his representations … influenced the president to investigate — American Guide Series: Minnesota
make no false representations to me — Thomas Hardy
defendant's representations that said automobile was new — Southeastern Reporter
(2) : a statement of fact incidental or collateral to a contract made orally or in writing and on the faith of which the contract is entered into — compare affirmative I 3b, promissory , warranty
written representations obtained from officials of the client — R.S.Johns
the contract of sale contains a representation by the purchaser — U.S. Code
c. : a dramatic production or performance
a theatrical representation
d.
(1) : a usually formal and serious statement (as of facts, reasons, or arguments) made against something or to effect a change
the colonial secretary made representations on behalf of the Uitlanders — Ethel Drus
(2) : a usually formal protest : expostulation , remonstrance
the tenants had decided not to pay the increase until they had made representations to the Native Affairs Department — H.S.Warner
e.
(1) : an image or idea formed by the mind
(2) : an idea that is the direct object of thought and the mental counterpart or transcript of the object known by means of it
2. : the act or action of representing or the state of being represented: as
a. : the action of representing (as by portrayal or delineation) in a visible image or form
a strict representation of nature would require that it curve — Hunter Mead
entrance of light rays into the eye and their final representation in the brain — F.A.Geldard
an exponent of representation rather than abstraction in art
b. : the action of setting forth or placing before another (as by a statement, account, or discourse) especially with a view to affecting action
the representation of student opinion to the administration — Seton Hall University Bulletin
yielding to the artful representation of ambitious hypocrites — Sir Walter Scott
c.
(1) : the action or fact of one person standing for another so as to have to a greater or less extent the rights and obligations of the person represented ; specifically : the relation of an heir to his predecessor when both the rights and obligations of the predecessor devolve upon the heir (as in Roman and Scots law)
(2) : the substitution of an individual or class of individuals in place of a person (as when a child or children take the share of an estate that would have fallen to a deceased parent)
d.
(1) : the action of representing or the fact of being represented in a legislative body
representation of territory … rather than of population — G.A.Graham
raise the issue of Chinese representation — New Statesman & Nation
the ancient world knew nothing of the device of representation — Woodrow Wilson
(2) : the action or fact of being represented in some other grouping, body, or aggregation
in … such universities and colleges there is no representation of any non-West European culture — American Council of Learned Society Newsletter
representation of classic issues in the collection
e.
(1) : the action or process by which the mind forms an image or idea of an object
(2) : recurrent as opposed to simple presentation
3. : the whole body of persons representing a constituency
when vacancies happen in the representation of any state in the Senate — U.S. Constitution
chosen head of the United States representation — Current Biography
small representations from the Baltic states — Henry Giniger