noun
also rôle ˈrōl
( -s )
Etymology: French rôle, literally, roll, from Old French role — more at roll
1.
a.
(1) : a character assigned to or assumed by someone
to prove his point he went to sea in the role of a castaway, on an inflated rubber raft — Walter Hayward
given the role of peacemaker
cast in the role of scapegoat
(2) : a socially prescribed pattern of behavior corresponding to an individual's status in a particular society
b.
(1) : a part played by an actor (as in a play or movie)
in succeeding months played a long list of comedy and farcical roles — W.P.Eaton
(2) : a part assumed by a singer (as in an opera or oratorio)
one of the most taxing tenor roles in the repertoire
2. : a function performed by someone or something in a particular situation, process, or operation
the role of the teacher in the educational process
plays an important role in city politics
the role of automobiles in leisure has been significant — A.P.James
the role of peroxidation in vitamin E deficiency — Current Biography