port·fo·li·o / pôrtˈfōlēˌō/ • n. (pl. -os) 1. a large, thin, flat case for loose sheets of paper such as drawings or maps. ∎  a set of pieces of creative work collected by someone to display their skills, esp. to a potential employer. ∎  a varied set of photographs of a model or actor intended to be shown to a potential employer.2. a range of investments held by a person or organization: better returns on its investment portfolio. ∎  a range of products or services offered by an organization, esp. when considered as a business asset: an unrivaled portfolio of quality brands.3. the position and duties of a minister of state or a member of a cabinet: he took on the Foreign Affairs portfolio.• adj. relating to, denoting, or engaged in an employment pattern that involves a succession of short-term contracts and part-time work, rather than the more traditional model of a long-term single job: portfolio careers allow women to balance work with family.

portfolio case for keeping papers XVIII; such a case for state documents, (hence) office of a minister of state XIX. Earlier porto folio, portefolio — It. portafogli, f. porta, imper. of portare = F. porter carry (see PORT3) + fogli, pl. of foglio = OF. foil leaf, FOIL2; alt. by assim. to F. portefeuille.

Portfolio

a large recepticle or case; a list of securities held by a financial institution, company, or individual.

Examples : portfolio of brokers—Lipton, 1970; of choice original designs, 1794; of drawings, 1807; of stocks and shares.

Portfolio 1988 (R)

Real-life models star in this gritty drama about rising to the top of the fashion heap. Music by Eurythmics, Fun Boy Three and others. 83m/C VHS . Paulina Porizkova, Julie Wolfe, Carol Alt, Kelly Emberg; D: Robert Guralnick; C: Edward Lachman.