deuteragonist

[ doo-tuh-rag-uh-nist, dyoo- ]
/ ˌdu təˈræg ə nɪst, ˌdyu- /

noun

(in ancient Greece) the actor next in importance to the protagonist.

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Origin of deuteragonist

From the Greek word deuteragōnistḗs, dating back to 1850–55. See deuter-, agonist

Words nearby deuteragonist

deus vobiscum, deus vult, deusdedit, deut., deuter-, deuteragonist, deuteranopia, deuterate, deuteride, deuterium, deuterium oxide
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for deuteragonist

  • The balance of the story is preserved by a sort of deuteragonist called the waki, who may also have his tsure.

    Plays of Old Japan|Marie C. Stopes

British Dictionary definitions for deuteragonist

deuteragonist
/ (ˌdjuːtəˈræɡənɪst) /

noun

(in ancient Greek drama) the character next in importance to the protagonist, esp the antagonist

Word Origin for deuteragonist

C19: from Greek deuteragōnistēs, from deutero- + agōnistēs contestant, actor
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012