main deuteragonist; main secondary role
Noh term for the principal supporting actor, often the waki or a key secondary character. Abbreviation of 主 (main) + アド (from アドバイザー or similar, referring to a supporting role).
See also: アド
In this noh play, the main deuteragonist plays an important role in the development of the story.
The main secondary role's performance was wonderful, and the interplay with the shite was superb.
Standard kanji-katakana spelling for 'main deuteragonist' in noh and related contexts.
Alternate kanji spelling using 重 (heavy/important) instead of 主 (main).
Abbreviation of 主 (おも, 'main') + アド, itself a clipping of a term like アドバイザー or アドバーサリー, used in noh to denote a supporting role. The exact origin of アド is uncertain but is established in noh terminology.