actor

Noun

actor (plural actors)

1. (obsolete) Someone who institutes a legal suit; a plaintiff or complainant.

   Synonyms:

   complainant, plaintiff

2. (obsolete) Someone acting on behalf of someone else; a guardian.
3. Someone or something that takes part in some action; a doer, an agent.
   • A man may be principal in an offence in two degrees. A principal, in the first degree, is he that is the actor, or absolute perpetrator of the crime; and, in the second degree, he who is present, aiding, and abetting the fact to be done.1769, William Blackstone, Commentaries on the laws of England^(https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=File%3AWilliam_Blackstone%2C_Commentaries_on_the_Laws_of_England_(1st_ed%2C_1769%2C_vol_I...
   • Never, my dear Bethel, did the most feverish dreams of fiction produce scenes more painful, or more terrific, than the real events to which I have been an actor, since the date of my last letter.1792, Charlotte Smith, Desmond, Broadview, published 2001, page 373

   Synonyms:

   participant

4. A person who acts a part in a theatrical play or (later) in film or television; a dramatic performer.
   • Seems like everyone's an actor / Or they're an actor's best friend / I wonder what was wrong to begin with / That they should all have to pretend1991, Ani DiFranco, “Anticipate”, in Not So Soft
   • Exactly. Marijuana is something we just all gradually decided is okay, like Mark Wahlberg as a serious actor. “You know what? Sure, I’ve decided I’m fine with that.”2017 April 2, “Marijuana”, in Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, season 4, episode 7, John Oliver (actor), via HBO

   Synonyms:

   performer, player, doer

5. (Ancient-Rome, obsolete) An advocate or proctor in civil courts or causes.
6. The subject performing the action of a verb.
7. The entity that performs a role (in use case analysis).

   Synonyms:

   role