Understudy \Un"der*stud`y\, v. t. & i. (Theater) To study, as another actor's part, in order to be his substitute in an emergency; to study another actor's part.
Understudy \Un"der*stud`y\, n. One who studies another's part with a view to assuming it in an emergency.
The other is to act as understudy.
"He has been an understudy long enough," Mr. Raman said.
The few hundred voters who catch on television the occasions when the understudy quizzes the prime minister doubtless will have views about Mr Prescott's rhetorical style or the colour of Mrs Beckett's outfits.
In the ESC version Trinculo is played by Tony Haygarth and, on the night I saw it, Stephano by an understudy, Andy Hough.
Tarrance said that as President Bush seeks a second term, voters will begin to focus on Quayle as a potential president, not only as an understudy.