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role
has definitions from the field of theater
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[ noun ] the actions and activities assigned to or required or expected of a person or group
Examples : "the function of a teacher" "the government must do its part" "play its role" Used in print (Tristram P. Coffin, "Folklore in the American Twentieth...)And their roles are paralleled by those of Patrick_Henry , Nathan_Hale , Andrew_Jackson , Davy_Crockett , Theodore_Roosevelt and many , many more . Though it may exist in either literate or illiterate societies , it assumes a role of true cultural importance only in the latter . (Frank Oppenheimer, "Science and Fear-- A Discussion...)What additional roles has the scientific understanding of the 19th and 20th centuries played ? (B. J. D. Meeuse, The Story of Pollination....)After another two_weeks , the first young emerge , four to eight small daughters that begin to play the role of worker_bees , collecting pollen and nectar in the field and caring for the new young generation while the queen retires to a life of egg_laying . (Jacob Robbins et al., "The thyroid-stimulating...)There is some evidence that naturally occurring goitrogens may play a role in the development of goitre , particularly in Tasmania and Australia ( Clements and Wishart , 1956 ) . Related terms duty stead capacity second_fiddle hat second_fiddle portfolio officiate |
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[ noun ] (theater) an actor's portrayal of someone in a play
Synonyms Examples "she played the part of Desdemona" Used in print (Chicago Daily Tribune...)Nikolai_Cherkasov , the Russian actor who has played such heroic roles as Alexander_Nevsky and Ivan_the_Terrible , performs the lanky Don_Quixote , and does so with a simple dignity that bridges the inner nobility and the surface absurdity of this poignant man . (The Christian Science Monitor,...)Miss_Sutherland appeared almost as another person in this scene : A much more girlish Lucia , a sensational coloratura who ran across stage while singing , and an actress immersed in her role . (The Providence Journal...)Not that Mr._Hedison does not make the most of his role . Jen_Nelson , as Thea , his first wife , managed to make that short role impressive . Dolores_Hart , is charming in a leading role , and quite believable . Related terms portrayal hero heroine villain bit_part ingenue heavy title_role impersonate |
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[ noun ] what something is used for
Examples "the function of an auger is to bore holes" "ballet is beautiful but what use is it?" Used in print (Jay C. Harris and John R. Van Wazer, "Detergent...)In the over-all process , it is difficult to assign a `` pure '' role to each constituent of a built detergent formulation ; and , indeed , there is no_more reason to separate the interrelated roles of the active , builder , antiredeposition agent , etc. than there is to assign individual actions to each of the numerous isomers making_up a given commercial organic active . In the over-all process , it is difficult to assign a `` pure '' role to each constituent of a built detergent formulation ; and , indeed , there is no_more reason to separate the interrelated roles of the active , builder , antiredeposition agent , etc. than there is to assign individual actions to each of the numerous isomers making_up a given commercial organic active . (William S. Haymond, "Is Distance an Original...)Perhaps the very important question - What is , then , exactly the role of kinesthetic sensations in the patient 's ability to recognize forms and shapes by means of the tracing movements when he is actually looking at things ? Related terms |
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[ noun ] normal or customary activity of a person in a particular social setting
Examples "what is your role on the team?" Used in print (Philip Reaves, "Who Rules the Marriage Bed?"...)But today there are signs that these roles are being reversed . In a growing number of American homes , marriage counselors report , the wife is taking a commanding role in sexual_relationships . It is only natural that she assert herself in the sexual role . A world in which wives have taken a more active role is likely to produce sexual_relationships in which wives are more self-assertive , too '' . `` When the roles of husband and wife are reversed , so that the wife becomes leader and the husband follower '' , Dr._Linden says , `` the effects on their whole relationship , sexual and otherwise , can be disastrous '' . Related terms |
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