Hypertext Webster Gateway: "role"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Role \R[^o]le\, n. [F. See {Roll}.]
A part, or character, performed by an actor in a drama;
hence, a part of function taken or assumed by any one; as, he
has now taken the r[^o]le of philanthropist.
{Title r[^o]le}, the part, or character, which gives the
title to a play, as the part of Hamlet in the play of that
name.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
role
n 1: the actions and activities assigned to or required or
expected of a person or group: "the function of a
teacher"; "the government must do its part"; "play its
role" [syn: {function}, {office}, {part}]
2: an actor's portrayal of someone in a play; "she played the
part of Desdemona" [syn: {character}, {theatrical role}, {part},
{persona}]
3: what something is used for; "the function of an auger is to
bore holes"; "ballet is beautiful but what use is it?"
[syn: {function}, {purpose}, {use}]
4: normal or customary activity of a person in a particular
social setting; "what is your role on the team?"
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