protagonist

pro·tag·o·nist  (pr-tg-nst)

n.

1. The main character in a drama or other literary work.

2. In ancient Greek drama, the first actor to engage in dialogue with the chorus, in later dramas playing the main character and some minor characters as well.

3.

a. A leading or principal figure.

b. The leader of a cause; a champion.

4. Usage Problem A proponent; an advocate.

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[Greek prtagnists : prto-, proto- + agnists, actor, combatant (from agnizesthai, to contend, from agn, contest, from agein, to drive, lead; see ag- in Indo-European roots).]

Usage Note: The protagonist of a Greek drama was its leading actor; therefore, there could be only one in a play. The question for speakers of modern English is whether a drama can have more than one protagonist. When members of the Usage Panel were asked "How many protagonists are there in Othello?" the great majority answered "One" and offered substitutes such as antagonist, villain, principal, and deuteragonist to describe Desdemona and Iago. Nevertheless, the word has been used in the plural to mean "important actors" or "principal characters" since at least 1671 when John Dryden wrote "Tis charg'd upon me that I make debauch'd persons ... my protagonists, or the chief persons of the drama." Some writers may prefer to confine their use of protagonist to refer to a single actor or chief participant, but it is pointless to insist that the broader use is wrong. · The use of protagonist to refer to a proponent has become common only in the 20th century and may have been influenced by a misconception that the first syllable of the word represents the prefix pro-, "favoring." In sentences such as He was an early protagonist of nuclear power, this use is likely to strike many readers as an error and can usually be replaced by advocate or proponent.

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protagonist [prəʊˈtægənɪst]

n

1. (Literary & Literary Critical Terms) the principal character in a play, story, etc.

2. a supporter, esp when important or respected, of a cause, political party, etc.

[from Greek prōtagōnistēs, from prōtos first + agōnistēs actor]

protagonism  n

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protagonist

the principal character in the drama.

See also: Drama

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	protagonist - a person who backs a politician or a team etc.; "all their supporters came out for the game"; "they are friends of the library" admirer, booster, supporter, champion, friend advocate, advocator, exponent, proponent - a person who pleads for a cause or propounds an idea anglophil, anglophile - an admirer of England and things English believer, truster - a supporter who accepts something as true Boswell - a devoted admirer and recorder of another's words and deeds cheerleader - an enthusiastic and vocal supporter; "he has become a cheerleader for therapeutic cloning" Confederate - a supporter of the Confederate States of America corporatist - a supporter of corporatism enthusiast, partizan, partisan - an ardent and enthusiastic supporter of some person or activity Francophil, Francophile - an admirer of France and everything French free trader - an advocate of unrestricted international trade functionalist - an adherent of functionalism Jacobite - a supporter of James II after he was overthrown or a supporter of the Stuarts loyalist, stalwart - a person who is loyal to their allegiance (especially in times of revolt) New Dealer - a supporter of the economic policies in the United States known as the New Deal Graecophile, philhellene, philhellenist - an admirer of Greece and everything Greek mainstay, pillar - a prominent supporter; "he is a pillar of the community" Roundhead - a supporter of parliament and Oliver Cromwell during the English Civil War seconder - someone who endorses a motion or petition as a necessary preliminary to a discussion or vote Shavian - an admirer of G. B. Shaw or his works endorser, indorser, ratifier, subscriber - someone who expresses strong approval well-wisher, sympathiser, sympathizer - someone who shares your feelings or opinions and hopes that you will be successful toaster, wassailer - someone who proposes a toast; someone who drinks to the health of success of someone or some venture maintainer, sustainer, upholder - someone who upholds or maintains; "firm upholders of tradition"; "they are sustainers of the idea of democracy" verifier, voucher - someone who vouches for another or for the correctness of a statement Whig - a supporter of the American Revolution
	2.	protagonist - the principal character in a work of fiction agonist antihero - a protagonist who lacks the characteristics that would make him a hero (or her a heroine)

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protagonist

noun

1. supporter, leader, champion, advocate, exponent, mainstay, prime mover, standard-bearer, moving spirit, torchbearer an active protagonist of his country's membership of the EU

2. leading character, lead, principal, central character, hero or heroine the protagonist of J.D. Salinger's novel

Translations

protagonist [prəʊˈtægənɪst] N → protagonista mf

protagonist [prəʊˈtægənɪst] n → protagoniste m/f

protagonist

n (esp Liter) → Protagonist(in) m(f); (= champion, supporter) → Verfechter(in) m(f)

protagonist [prəʊˈtægənɪst] n → protagonista m/f