dram|a|tis per|so|nae

dram|a|tis per|so|nae «DRAM uh tihs puhr SOH nee»,

1. the characters or actors in a play: »

To prove a point…Mr. Hawley has first to put his extensive dramatis personae through a series of terrifying ordeals (Wall Street Journal).

2. a list of them: »

The dramatis personae calls for more than 100 performers.

3. the characters in a novel, poem, motion-picture, or anything dramatic: »

The dramatis personae of his pictures are mostly glistening fish, their hue a glowing red or livid blue (London Times). Another gentleman got into the elevator with me, Mr. Norman Mack, one of the chief dramatis personae of the plot (Esquire).

Abbr: dram. pers.

╂[< Latin dramatis personae (literally) persons of a drama]