name-part
Definition
Noun: - The role or character after which a play is named: "name-part" refers to the principal character in a theatrical work whose name appears in the title of the play. It is the part that gives the play its name.
Usage Examples
- (He was given the role of Hamlet, the character whose name is the title of the play.)
- (She played Lady Macbeth, though strictly the name-part is Macbeth; in common usage, it can refer to the title character.)
Advanced Usage
- "to play the name-part": to perform the title role in a play.
- She will play the name-part in "Romeo and Juliet" next season. (She will perform the role of Juliet, whose name appears in the play's title.)
Variants and Related Words
- Name role (noun): a synonym for name-part; the principal character in a work that shares the work's title.
- The actor accepted the name role in the film "Titanic." (He played Jack or Rose, though typically the name role is the character whose name is in the title.)
- Title role (noun): the character for whom a play, film, or book is named; equivalent to name-part.
- She won an award for her title role in "Evita." (She played Eva Perón, the character whose name is the title.)
Synonyms
- Title role: the part that shares the name of the production.
- Lead part: the main character, though this does not necessarily have to share the production's name.
- Principal role: the most important character in a performance.
Related Idioms
- To steal the name-part: (informal) to unexpectedly gain the title role or to overshadow the title character.
- The supporting actor stole the name-part with his brilliant comic timing. (He drew more attention than the actor playing the title role.)
Phrasal Verbs
- Cast in the name-part: to assign an actor to play the title role.
- The director cast a newcomer in the name-part of "Othello." (The director chose an inexperienced actor to play Othello.)