understudy
English
WOTD – 9 October 2011
Etymology
under- + study
Pronunciation
- (General American) IPA(key): /ˈʌndɚˌstʌdi/
- (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈʌndəˌstʌdi/
Audio (Northern California, US) (file) Audio (AU) (file) - Hyphenation: un‧der‧study
Verb
understudy (third-person singular simple present understudies, present participle understudying, simple past and past participle understudied)
- To study or know a role to such an extent as to be able to replace the normal performer when required.
- To act as an understudy (to someone).
- To act in a similar manner to some known person.
- 1935, Owen Conquest, Morny's Master Stroke:
- That lean gentleman had apparently understudied Pharaoh of old and hardened his heart.
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Translations
to study or know a role to such an extent as to be able to replace the normal performer when required
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to act as an understudy
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Noun
understudy (plural understudies)
- A performer who understudies; a standby.
- Synonym: standby
- Coordinate terms: body double, stunt double
- 1976, Richard Dawkins, The Selfish Gene, Kindle edition, OUP Oxford, published 2016, pages 153-154:
- For Wynne-Edwards, the role of the outcasts in the welfare of the group is to wait in the wings as understudies, ready to step into the shoes of any territory holder who dies on the main stage of group reproduction.
Translations
performer who understudies
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