n.
Pronunciation: pr ō - ' ta-g ə -nist
Function: noun
Etymology: Greek pr ō tag ō nist ē s, from pr ō t- prot- + ag ō nist ē s competitor at games, actor, from ag ō nizesthai to compete, from ag ō n contest, competition at games ― more at AGONY
Date: 1671
1 a : the principal character in a literary work (as a drama or story) b : a leading actor, character, or participant in a literary work or real event
2 : a leader, proponent, or supporter of a cause : CHAMPION