— protagonism , n.
/proh tag"euh nist/ , n.
1. the leading character, hero, or heroine of a drama or other literary work.
2. a proponent for or advocate of a political cause, social program, etc.
3. the leader or principal person in a movement, cause, etc.
4. the first actor in ancient Greek drama, who played not only the main role, but also other roles when the main character was offstage. Cf. deuteragonist, tritagonist .
5. Physiol. agonist.
[ 1665-75; protagonistés actor who plays the first part, lit., first combatant, equiv. to prôt ( os ) first + agonistés one who contends for a prize, combatant, actor. See PROTO-, ANTAGONIST ]