portrait-robot

composite sketch

noun por-TREH ro-BOH Rare

Origin: Compound of 'portrait' + 'robot' (mechanically assembled likeness).

Also means

identikit picture

Usage Note

Portrait-robot is the standard French term for a police composite sketch — what English calls an 'identikit' or 'e-fit'. The plural is portraits-robots. It is also used figuratively: le portrait-robot du candidat idéal (the profile of the ideal candidate).

Examples

"La police a diffusé un portrait-robot du suspect."

Natural Translation

The police released a composite sketch of the suspect.

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