n[C][
Date: 1600-1700;
Language: French;Origin: rôle
'roll, role', from
Old French rolle;
ROLL2]
the way in which someone or something is involved in an activity or situation, and how much influence they have on it
role in the role of diet in the prevention of disease Everyone had a role in the show's success. Scientists can also play a role in improving energy efficiency in their laboratories.Parents play an important role in their child's learning.His interest in education was reflected in his active role in founding University College, Liverpool.The state has a dual role : to support business on the one hand and to be the guardian of social welfare on the other. a student who has taken a leadership role in battling racism on campusthe character played by an actor in a play or film
=
part Matthews plays the role of a young doctor suspected of murder.a minor/major role Costner only plays a minor role in the movie.the lead/leading/starring role(=the most important role)
Rigby was cast in the leading role.title role(=the role of the character whose name is in the title of a film or play)
'Martin Chuzzlewit' features Paul Scofield in the title role.role reversala situation in which two people, especially a man and a woman, each do what is traditionally expected of the other
COLLOCATES for sense 1have/play a role in (doing) somethingan important/key/vital/crucial rolea leading/major/central rolean active rolea dual role (=two functions)
take a role