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Webster 1913 Edition

Noun.

[F.

portefeuille

;

porter

to carry +

feuille

a leaf. See

to carry, and

A portable case for holding loose papers, prints, drawings, etc.

Hence: The office and functions of a minister of state or member of the cabinet;

as, to receive the

portfolio

of war; to resign the

portfolio

Noun.

[L. folium.] A case of the size of a large book, to keep loose papers in.

To have or hold the portfolio, is to hold the office of minister of foreign affairs.