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understudy

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The definition of an understudy is an actor who learns the role of another actor and who performs when that actor is unable.

(noun)

An example of an understudy is an actor who learns the star part in the play but who only gets to perform it when the real star can't perform because he has a cold.

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See understudy in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun pl. understudies

an actor who learns the part of another actor so as to serve as a substitute when necessary
any person who learns the duties of another so as to serve as a substitute

transitive verb, intransitive verb understudied, understudying

to act as an understudy (to)
to learn (a part) as an understudy

See understudy in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb un·der·stud·ied, un·der·stud·y·ing, un·der·stud·ies

verb, transitive

To study or know (a role) so as to be able to replace the regular performer when required.
To act as an understudy to.

verb, intransitive

To be engaged in studying a role so as to be able to replace the regular performer when required.

noun pl. un·der·stud·ies

A performer who understudies.
A person trained to do the work of another.

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