Crossword Genius

Depict a red light (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

portray

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'depict' is the definition.
(I know that depict can be written as portray)

'a red light' is the wordplay.
'a red' becomes 'port' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'light' becomes 'ray' (ray is a kind of light).
'port'+'ray'='PORTRAY'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for portray that I've seen before include "Use words to describe" , "sketch" , "Describe in words or make a picture" , "Act" , "Delineate" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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