See Also: spotlight(dictionary)
spotlight 1, noun(dictionary)
spotlight 2, verb(dictionary)

spotlight (iou)



spotlight noun & verb. E20.
[from SPOT noun + LIGHT noun.]
A. noun.
1. A narrow and intense beam of light directed on a small area, esp. on a particular part of a theatre stage or on the road in front of a vehicle; a lamp projecting this. E20.
A. Frater A spotlight flicked on and caught him, fair and square in mid-beam. N. Sahgal Trees stepped into the spotlight and retreated into darkness as we passed.
2. fig. A close scrutiny; the spotlight, public attention, the full glare of publicity. E20.
Oxford Star They want to shift the spotlight to what they regard as the real problem. Times Educational Supplement He..returned to the spotlight when he chaired an international symposium.
B. verb trans. Pa. t. & pple -lighted, -lit .
Illuminate with a spotlight; fig. subject to close scrutiny, bring to public attention. E20.
E. Bowen A flower-bed..spotlit by sunshine. Omni The AIDS epidemic has spotlighted discrimination against the disabled in the workplace.
Hunt (game) by spotlight. Chiefly US. M20.
spotlighter noun a person who hunts by spotlight M20.