play-actor
/'plei,æktə/
Definition
Noun: 1. A traveling actor: A person whose profession is acting, specifically one who performs in plays while traveling to different locations, often in rural or less urban areas. 2. (Derogatory) A person who pretends or feigns: Someone who behaves in a false or insincere way, putting on an act in real life rather than on stage.
Usage
- The primary meaning refers to a specific type of theatrical performer from historical or traditional contexts.
- The secondary, figurative meaning is often used critically to describe someone whose emotions or intentions are not genuine.
Examples
- Noun (Literal):
- In the 19th century, a play-actor would bring theatre to small towns that had no permanent stage.
- The troupe of play-actors performed Shakespeare in barns and village halls across the county.
- Noun (Figurative/Derogatory):
- Don't be such a play-actor; we all know you're not really upset.
- He's just a play-actor, pretending to care about the cause for his own popularity.
Advanced Usage
- The term can imply a certain lack of prestige or seriousness compared to actors in established, metropolitan theatres.
- When used figuratively, it strongly suggests deception and hypocrisy.
Variants and Related Words
- Play-act (verb): To act in a play; to behave in an affected or insincere manner.
- The children loved to play-act scenes from their favorite stories.
- He's not really angry; he's just play-acting to get sympathy.
- Play-acting (noun): The activity or practice of acting in plays; insincere or pretended behavior.
Synonyms
- Strolling player: (Similar literal meaning) An actor who travels from place to place to perform.
- Barnstormer: (Historical, literal) A performer, especially an actor or pilot, who toured rural areas.
- Hypocrite: (Figurative meaning) A person who pretends to have virtues or beliefs they do not actually possess.
- Pretender: (Figurative meaning) A person who claims or pretends to be something they are not.
Related Phrases
- To put on an act: To behave in a way that is not genuine or sincere.
- She's just putting on an act to avoid getting into trouble.
Noun
-
an actor who travels around the country presenting plays
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