tritagonist

American  

[trih-tag-uh-nist] / trɪˈtæg ə nɪst /

noun

1. (in ancient Greece) the third member of an acting troupe, which always consisted of three actors.

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Etymology

Origin of tritagonist

1885–90; < Greek tritagōnistḗs, equivalent to trit ( ós ) third + agōnistḗs actor, competitor, agent derivative of agōnízesthai to contend, struggle, compete for the acting prize

Example Sentences

Jake also began pursuing a career in Hollywood and eventually landed the starring role of Dirk Mann, a self-proclaimed "internet daredevil" and tritagonist in the Disney Channel comedy show "Bizaardvark."

From Salon • Aug. 3, 2023

Daniels in HBO’s “ The Wire” and the tritagonist hotel concierge Charon in the “John Wick” movies.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 17, 2023

The deuteragonist and tritagonist take parts of second and third importance, and to talk of several protagonists, or of a chief protagonist or the like, is an absurdity.

From Society for Pure English Tract 4 The Pronunciation of English Words Derived from the Latin by Sargeaunt, John