1. A character who supports the main character's journey: This definition emphasizes the functional role of the secondary character. They might be a mentor, friend, rival, or antagonist who shapes the main character's growth and decisions.
2. A character with less development than the main character: This focuses on the level of depth provided. Secondary characters might have less backstory, inner conflict, or personality exploration than the protagonist.
3. A character whose story is not the central focus: This highlights the narrative importance of the secondary character. Their arc may intersect with the main plot, but they are not the driving force behind the story.
4. A character who plays a significant role in the story, but not the most important role: This emphasizes the relative importance of the secondary character within the context of the narrative. They may be crucial to the plot or theme, but they are not the primary focus of the story.
Ultimately, the "best" definition depends on your specific needs and how you want to analyze the character.
Here's a helpful way to think about it:
* Primary character: The protagonist, whose story is the central focus.
* Secondary character: A character who plays a significant role in supporting the primary character's story, but their own story isn't the central focus.
* Tertiary character: A character who plays a relatively minor role, often with limited development or interaction with the main characters.
It's important to note that there can be a lot of overlap between these categories. A character who starts as a tertiary character could become more significant later in the story. Ultimately, the "best" definition is the one that works best for you in understanding the role of the character within the narrative.