un·der·stud·y

[uhn-der-stuhd-ee] verb, un·der·stud·ied, un·der·stud·y·ing, noun, plural un·der·stud·ies.
verb (used with object)
1.
to learn (a role) in order to replace the regular actor or actress when necessary.
2.
to act as understudy to (an actor or actress): to understudy the lead.
verb (used without object)
3.
to act or work as an understudy.
noun
4.
a performer who learns the role of another in order to serve as a replacement if necessary.

Origin:
1870–75; under- + study

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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World English Dictionary
understudy (ˈʌndəˌstʌdɪ) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
vb , -studies, -studying, -studied
1.  (tr) to study (a role or part) so as to be able to replace the usual actor or actress if necessary
2.  to act as understudy to (an actor or actress)
 
n , -studies, -studying, -studied, -studies
3.  an actor or actress who studies a part so as to be able to replace the usual actor or actress if necessary
4.  anyone who is trained to take the place of another in case of need

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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00:10
Understudy is one of our favorite verbs.
So is absquatulate. Does it mean:
to flee; abscond:
to steal or take dishonestly (money, esp. public funds, or property entrusted to one's care); embezzle.
Etymonline
Word Origin & History

understudy
1874, in the theatrical sense, from under + study (v.). The noun is attested from 1882.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
Evidently, however, these factors do not impinge on the vessels understudy here.
But it is usually a bad sign for your candidacy if you're only sticking around
  as an understudy.
It is therefore important to test questionnaires and, if necessary, adapt them
  to each population understudy.
In photography, chance is often the overlooked understudy of talent.
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