(The name of) a devil or fiend. Also in Ruffy Ragman, Ruffy Tasker. Cf. Ruffin, n.1, ruffian, n.

In English drama, imitated or adapted from the chorus of Attic tragedy, as in Gorboduc, and Milton's Samson Agonistes; by Shakespeare and other…

= prologuist, n.

The character who delivers the prologue in a play or other performance.

A player dressed up to resemble a Turk.

(a) an actress; †(b) a male actor who plays women's parts (obsolete).

A subordinate part in action, esp. a minor rôle in a play; one who acts a subordinate part.

The writer or speaker of an epilogue.

= prologuist, n.

one who speaks or writes an epilogue.

Theatre. The role of an old man; an actor playing the role of an old man, esp. one who specializes in such roles. Cf. old woman, n. 1e.

A person who composes or delivers a prologue.

A comic actor, a singer in a comic opera.

A person engaged for a minor part, or to be present during a crowd scene, in a play, film, etc.; = supernumerary, n. 2c. In full †extra lady, extra…

An actor who plays the part of the principal lover or young hero. Also in extended use.

The principal male singer or role in a comic opera, esp. in the 18th-century Italian opera buffa. Also in extended use. Cf. prima buffa, n.

an actor who specializes in playing unconventional or idiosyncratic people rather than traditional leading or romantic roles.

(a) a utility actor; (b) U.S. a substitute capable of taking any position in a baseball team (Webster, 1911).

The second actor or person in a drama: distinguished from the protagonist.

a character actor specializing in comic roles.

little by little, a bit at a time, piecemeal.

an actor of the smallest speaking-parts in a play.

As a count noun: a serio-comic performer, esp. a female variety performer who specializes in serio-comic acting and singing. Now historical.

an actor who plays the leading youthful part in a play, etc.; the role so played. So juvenile leading.

A serio-comic actor or performer; = serio-comic, n. 2. Now rare (historical in later use).

esp. Theatre. Short for heavy actor, heavy villain at sense A. 21a, etc. Cf. sense A. 21a.

Short for utility actor n. at compounds 2. Also, the activity of a utility actor, the taking of any small part.

One who thinks. Theatre slang. An actor who plays ‘thinking parts’ (see thinking part n. at thinking, n. compounds 2). Obsolete.

A man who plays female roles in Japanese kabuki theatre; a female kabuki role. Also called oyama.

= serio-comic, n. 2.

Theatre. An actor who plays a youthful part.

The third actor in a Greek tragedy.

In Japanese kabuki theatre: = onnagata, n.

= juvenile lead n. at juvenile, adj. n.compounds 1. Also attributive.