deuteragonist

Meanings

1. A secondary character; specifically, the second most important character (after the protagonist).
2. An actor playing a role (potentially all roles) requiring a second actor to be present on the stage, opposite the protagonist.

Etymology

From Ancient Greek δευτεραγωνιστής (deuteragōnistḗs, literally “second actor”), originally in Greek drama, from ἀγωνιστής (agōnistḗs, “a combatant, pleader, actor”). By surface analysis, deuter- (“second”) + agonist (“combatant, participant”).