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figurant

extra, background actor

noun fee-gyoo-RAHN Rare
Arts & Culture Performance

Origin: French figurer (to appear, to figure)

Also means

minor figure

Usage Note

Figurant (f: figurante) is the standard term for a film or theatre extra who appears in the background without speaking lines. In a figurative sense, jouer les figurants means 'to play a minor or powerless role' in a situation. The verb figurer alone can mean 'to appear' (in a film or on a list).

Examples

"Il travaille comme figurant dans des films de cinéma."

Natural Translation

He works as an extra in films.

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