spotlightn.
/ˈspɒtlʌɪt/, U.S. /ˈspɑtˌlaɪt/ 1.
a. A bright lamp designed to cast a narrow and intense beam directly on to a person or place; the light cast by such a lamp. Cf. limelight n.
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the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > reputation > fame or renown > [noun]
hereworda1100
famec1290
lose1297
renownc1330
namecouthhead1340
noblessec1350
namec1384
reputationc1390
emprisea1393
renomeea1393
celebrity?c1400
enpressc1400
notec1400
renowneec1430
flavourc1449
honestnessa1450
bruita1470
renome?1473
famosity1535
famousness1548
renownedness1596
celebration1631
rumour1638
notedness1661
noise1670
distinction1699
eminence1702
éclat1742
baya1764
kudos1831
lionhood1833
lionism1835
lionship1837
lionization1841
stardom1865
spotlight1875
réclame1883
stellardom1883
the big cheesea1910
big time1910
star billing1910
starring1913
megastardom1981
the world > matter > light > artificial light > an artificial light > artificial light defined by light-source > electric light > [noun] > spotlight
spotlight1875
spotlamp1900
lite1924
society > travel > means of travel > a conveyance > vehicle > powered vehicle > parts and equipment of motor vehicles > [noun] > other exterior lights
side lamp1780
brake light1853
running light1863
spotlight1875
rear lamp1884
spotlamp1900
sidelight1906
parking lamp1926
parking light1927
reversing lamp1927
stop light1930
pass light1938
pass lamp1948
stop lamp1959
parker1967
society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > the theatre or the stage > a theatre > theatrical equipment or accessories > [noun] > stage lights
footlight1776
limelight1826
float1829
spotlight1875
ground-row1881
lime1892
baby spot1910
amber1913
spot1920
strip light1920
perch1933
follow spot1937
Mickey Mouse1937
pin spot1947
the world > matter > light > artificial light > an artificial light > artificial light defined by light-source > electric light > [noun] > spotlight > for a stage
spotlight1875
spot1920
pin spot1947
the world > matter > light > artificial light > an artificial light > artificial light defined by light-source > electric light > [noun] > spotlight > on a car
spotlight1875
lite1924
1875 Eng. Mechanic & World of Sci. 3 Dec. 309/1 If a spot light, such as the limelight is used, and properly placed, a disc of light even and of equal photogenic action is secured.
1898 Electr. Engineer 16 June 703/1 The lamp may be focused..for producing discs of light varying from a ‘spot light’ to an area equal to the entire stage.
1922 C. Aiken Jig of Forslin 25 While in the warm dark seats, we watch the spot-light Dazzle upon the singer's hair and eyes.
1930 J. B. Priestley Good Companions ii. ii. 295 He comes to me and asks all about curtains and footlights and spot-lights and props, and he goes about looking so important when he's anything to do.
1967 N. Freeling Strike Out 129 It was a kind of altar. No spotlights, thank heaven, but a decided feeling of stiffly-bunched-madonna-lilies.
1978 R. Ludlum Holcroft Covenant vi. 79 Several passengers were reading under the beams of tiny spotlights, but most were asleep.
2010 For learning Math. 30 10 Click, and a spotlight blazes into your eyes. The interrogation is about to begin.
b. figurative. Something likened to a spotlight, esp. in highlighting or drawing attention to something. Frequently in in (also under) the spotlight: subject to intense scrutiny or public attention.
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1902 Washington Post 19 Oct. 23/2 To fetch her karat or so of alum [i.e. a diamond ring] to the front and keep it under the spotlight of publicity.
1914 G. Atherton Perch of Devil i. 159 We'll just thresh this question out, turn the spot-light on every side of it.
1931 H. F. Pringle Theodore Roosevelt i. xi. 135 The spotlight focused on Roosevelt, a spotlight so white and continuous that the other..commissioners found themselves in..shadow.
1972 Times 30 Nov. 23/8 A strong consumer and governmental spotlight on food prices.
2013 London Evening Standard 10 Oct. 21/1 (heading) Bridget Jones and Mariella Frostrup put grown-up sex into the spotlight.
2. An auxiliary lamp with a strongly focused beam, esp. one mounted on a motor vehicle so as to illuminate objects not within range of the headlights.
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society > travel > means of travel > a conveyance > vehicle > parts and equipment of vehicles generally > [noun] > lights and reflectors
signal light1743
tail-light1844
headlight1845
headlamp1851
tail-lamp1891
reflector1909
spotlight1916
fogs1974
1916 Pacific Motor Boat Feb. 23/1 The ‘bang and go back’ race, for which there was a first prize of a swivel spotlight, offered by the Pacific Car Company.
1937 Motor Catal. (East London Rubber Co.) 151/1 ‘Bosch’ Spotlight... Gives a brilliant, long beam, which can be trained upon the kerb, on the road ahead, or signposts.
1980 M. Booth Bad Track i. 18 On the front of the radiator grille was mounted a pair of very large Cibie spotlights that dwarfed the standard headlamps.
2008 Contra Costa Times (Calif.) (Nexis) 19 Apr. The spotlight came in handy if your lights failed; you could use it to see the road ahead of you until you could find someplace to get your car fixed.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2016; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
spotlightv.
/ˈspɒtlʌɪt/, U.S. /ˈspɑtˌlaɪt/ Originally U.S.
1.
a. transitive. To make the centre or focus of attention; to highlight.
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society > communication > manifestation > [verb (transitive)] > strikingly
to set out1577
illustrate1603
to stick off1613
signalize1624
to draw out1855
spotlight1907
highlight1922
limelight1927
1907 [implied in: Washington Post 6 Jan. 7 (headline) The renowned Parisian journalist..warns his countrymen not to get mixed up with the spotlighted citizens of the United States should they pay the country a visit. (at spotlighted adj. 1)].
1910 Smart Set Mar. 147/1 It is ‘society’ as revealed by Upton Sinclair, the ‘society’ that was spotlighted in his book, ‘The Moneychangers’.
1918 Oregon Voter 23 Feb. 13/2 This war period is the acid test! It's going to spotlight the big men in American business.
1942 Sun (Baltimore) 1 Jan. 22/8 He hoped that the publicity in connection with the measure has ‘spotlighted’ the abuse of charity racketeers.
1963 Listener 21 Feb. 353/3 His understanding of the jazz idiom spotlighted the ‘bluesy’ features of the Concerto beautifully.
2006 Times 15 Mar. (Focus Report) 7 The Enrico Toti's last voyage drew huge media coverage and spotlighted the newly renovated museum.
b. transitive. To illuminate with a spotlight or spotlights; to direct a spotlight or spotlights upon.
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society > communication > manifestation > disclosure or revelation > disclose or reveal [verb (transitive)] > what is bad
expose1693
satirize1798
to show up1893
spotlight1913
debunk1923
to name and shame1978
the world > matter > light > artificial light > an artificial light > artificial light defined by light-source > electric light > [verb (transitive)] > illuminate with specific types of electric light
searchlight1900
spotlight1913
strip light1920
flood-light1923
1913 Black Cat Jan. 61/1 Spotlighted by four big electrics,..stood Dick and Daisy.
1926 H. T. Wilkins Marvels Mod. Mech. xii. 234 These panorama lamps can be swung round in a circle, and, along with flood lights, be concentrated in a beam of rays to ‘spot-light’ the stage stars.
1975 J. Cleary Safe House ii. 73 An elderly motorbike..the weak beam of its headlamp spotlighting them as they stood at the back of the truck.
2008 Vanity Fair Nov. 216 Jewel-like hanging lamps spotlighted a large brass statue of Ganesh.
2. transitive. Chiefly U.S. To hunt (game, esp. deer) at night using a spotlight to illuminate or dazzle the hunted animal. Cf. jacklight v. 1, lamp v.1 Additions.Legal restrictions or prohibitions apply to the use of spotlights for night hunting in many jurisdictions.
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the world > food and drink > hunting > hunt [verb (transitive)] > hunt with light
fire-hunt1807
shine1845
jack1876
jacklight1883
spotlight1918
lamp1988
1918 Santa Fe Mag. Sept. 79/1 Spotlighting jackrabbits is all the rage now.
1929 Oakland (Calif.) Tribune 7 July Hunters are ‘spotlighting’ and hunting deer at night time.
1968 Daily Progress (Charlottesville, Va.) 26 Jan. 3/4 After illegally spotlighting and killing a deer [etc.].
1997 B. Udall Letting Loose Hounds 214 It could have been some redneck out spotlighting deer, but at that moment I was sure the border patrol, the FBI and CIA were all bearing down on us.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2016; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1875
v.1907