Crossword Genius

Shows the harbour lights (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

portrays

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

'shows' is the definition.
(I know this)

'harbour lights' is the wordplay.
'harbour' becomes 'port' (I've seen this before).
'lights' becomes 'rays' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'port'+'rays'='PORTRAYS'

'the' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for portrays that I've seen before include "paints?" , "Describes in words or makes picture of" , "Shows" , "Depicts" , "Represents" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app