n.
Variant: also rôle
Pronunciation: ' r ō l
Function: noun
Etymology: French rôle, literally, roll, from Old French rolle
Date: 1605
1 a (1) : a character assigned or assumed <had to take on the role of both father and mother> (2) : a socially expected behavior pattern usually determined by an individual's status in a particular society b : a part played by an actor or singer
2 : a function or part performed especially in a particular operation or process <played a major role in the negotiations>