deuteragonist
(djuːtəˈrægənɪst)
[ad. Gr. δευτεραγωνιστής one who plays the second part in a drama, f. δεύτερο-ς deutero- second + ἀγωνιστής combatant, actor.]
The second actor or person in a drama: distinguished from the protagonist.
| 1855 Lewes Goethe I. iii. viii. 290 In the first scene [of the Prometheus] the protagonist would take Power and the deuteragonist Vulcan. 1893 Zimmern Home Life Anc. Greeks xii. 422 The next [part] in importance—viz. the one which was brought into the closest connection with the chief person, fell to the deuteragonist. |