Nonparticipant

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A person who is present but does not take an active role or engage in the activity or event
2. Someone who is around but refrains from involvement or participation in what is happening
3. An individual who does not join in or contribute to a particular action or occurrence

Etymology: "Nonparticipant" is a plain modern compound: the prefix "non-" attached to "participant," meaning one who does not take part in something. The prefix descends from Old English "nān," meaning "not one" or "none," which itself grew from the Proto-Germanic "nainaz," a combination of "ne" (not) and "ainaz" (one). So the prefix carries the sense of "not" that goes back to the same ancient roots as the English word "one." "Participant" entered English from Latin "participare," to share in or take part, built from "particeps," having a share, combining "pars" (part) and "capere" (to take). The base therefore literally means one who takes a part. Adding "non-" simply reverses that, producing a term for someone who stands aside.

Synonyms: observer, bystander, onlooker, spectator, INVALID

Antonyms: participant, contributor, member, joiner, attendee