figurant

American  

[fig-yuh-rant, -rahnt, fee-gy-rahn] / ˌfɪg yəˈrænt, -ˈrɑnt, fi güˈrɑ̃ /

noun

1. a ballet dancer who does not perform solo.

2. a performer with no spoken lines.

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figurant British  

/ ˌfɪɡjʊˈrɒnt, ˈfɪɡjʊrənt /

noun

1. a ballet dancer who does group work but no solo roles

2. theatre a minor character, esp one who does not speak

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Other Word Forms

• figurante noun

Etymology

Origin of figurant

First recorded in 1775–80; from French, present participle of figurer “to figure, appear, represent,” from Old French, from Latin figūrāre, “to form, shape,” from figūra “form, composition”; figure ( def. )

Example Sentences

Such comedies as children make for themselves are a thousand times more profitable than those they act, even though they came out of Weisse's writing-desk; in our day, besides, when the whole man is a figurant, his virtue a dramatic part, and his sensibility lyric poetry, this wrenching of children's souls is particularly dangerous.

From Project Gutenberg

The infusory chaos of Revel's exhortation had made this weary figurant and mimicker of Death tender and grave.

From Project Gutenberg

But that she might not in the morning discover her erroneous confounding of things, he gave his wax figurant exactly the position which he had occupied at the window.

From Project Gutenberg

The former of these is said to be 45 years of age, and has long been reckoned the best figurant� on this stage.

From Project Gutenberg

Claude Du-Val," replied Jack; "and though a Frenchman, he was a deuced fine fellow in his day—quite a tip-top macaroni—he could skip and twirl like a figurant, warble like an opera-singer, and play the flageolet better than any man of his day—he always carried a lute in his pocket, along with his snappers.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• dancer