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understudy

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un⋅der⋅stud⋅y

  [uhn-der-stuhd-ee] verb, -stud⋅ied, -stud⋅y⋅ing, noun, plural -stud⋅ies.
Use understudy in a Sentence
–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. 2009.
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un·der·stud·y   (ŭn'dər-stŭd'ē)   
v.   un·der·stud·ied, un·der·stud·y·ing, un·der·stud·ies

v.   tr.

  1. To study or know (a role) so as to be able to replace the regular performer when required.

  2. To act as an understudy to.

v.   intr.
To be engaged in studying a role so as to be able to replace the regular performer when required.
n.   pl. un·der·stud·ies

  1. A performer who understudies.

  2. A person trained to do the work of another.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

understudy  (v.)
1874, in the theatrical sense, from under + study (v.). The noun is attested from 1882.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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