I. ˈlīmˌlīt, usu -īd.+V noun
1.
a. : a stage lighting instrument producing its illumination by means of an oxyhydrogen flame directed on a cylinder of lime and usually equipped with a lens to concentrate the light in a beam
b. : the intense white light produced by such an instrument
as the branches burn they glow with the dazzling white of limelight — M.A.Wilson
c. Britain : spotlight
his genial smile was spotted on everyone in turn, like a limelight , with an orange slide over it, at a theatre — Osbert Sitwell
2. : the light of public attention : the center of the stage
held the limelight in this period and set the pace, tone, and temper of the movie medium — Lewis Jacobs
in the limelight
II. transitive verb
: to center attention on : spotlight
pleased and flattered … to be so studied, so limelighted — Hamlin Garland