figurant

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: fig=u=rant

CIDE DICTIONARY

figurant, n. masc. [F., prop. p. pr. of figurer figure, represent, make a figure.].

 One who dances at the opera, not singly, but in groups or figures; an accessory character on the stage, who figures in its scenes, but has nothing to say; hence, one who figures in any scene, without taking a prominent part.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

figurant, n. (fem. figurante pronunc. same) a ballet-dancer appearing only in a group.

Etymology

F, pres. part. of figurer FIGURE