Pro-tā'g'o-nīst, n.

n. [Gr. πρῶτος, first, and ἀγωνιστής, an actor, from ἀγών, a contest, ἄγειν, to act.] One who fills the leading part in a drama; hence, one who takes the lead in some great scene, enterprise, conflict, or the like. “Shakespeare, the protagonist on the great arena of modern poetry.” De Quincey.