ˈ ̷ ̷(ˌ) ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ noun
( -s )
1.
a. : a racehorse or racing dog that finishes behind the first three contestants or out of the money
b. : a contestant in any actual or presumed competition that is not among the prize or point winners, is only moderately successful, or is a failure
c. : a failing or only moderately successful entry in any actual or presumed competition
the book was an also-ran on the publisher's list
2. : a person of little or no importance