[role] n [F role, lit., roll, fr. OF rolle] (1606) 1 a (1): a character assigned or assumed (2): a socially expected behavior pattern usu. 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 esp. in a particular operation or process "played a major ~ in the negotiations"
3: an identifier attached to an index term to show functional relationships between terms