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Noun: understudy  'ún-du(r),stú-dee
  1. An actor able to replace a regular performer when required
    "The understudy had to step in when the lead actress fell ill";
    - standby
Verb: understudy  'ún-du(r),stú-dee
  1. Be an understudy or alternate for a role
    "She understudied the lead actress in case of illness";
    - alternate

Derived forms: understudied, understudies, understudying

Type of: actor, con [archaic], histrion [archaic], learn, memorise [Brit], memorize, player, role player, thesp [Brit, informal], thespian

Encyclopedia: Understudy