Dictionary of English - protagonist

Some people still maintain that, as the Greek word from which protagonist comes meant 'first actor', there may be only one protagonist in any situation, and the word should not be used to mean 'supporter' or 'advocator': a protagonist of gay rights. However, this use is widely accepted, and you need have no misgivings about it. Words do change their meanings, especially as they move from one language to another. If we allowed words only in their original senses, we would still be using the word treacle for an antidote to a poisonous bite (this was the earliest meaning in English, taken from French; treacle is ultimately from a Greek word meaning 'wild animal').

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