limelight

lime +‎ light

• (UK, US) IPA^(key): /ˈlaɪm.laɪt/

• Audio (US)

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limelight (countable and uncountable, plural limelights)

1. A type of stage lighting once used in theatres and music halls, producing a bright light by the use of incandescent quicklime.
2. (by extension) Attention, notice, a starring or central role, present fame.
   • 1994, 0:41 from the start, in Juicy‎ (Hip Hop), spoken by The Notorious B.I.G.:

     Remember Rappin' Duke? Duh-ha, duh-ha
     You never thought that hip-hop would take it this far
     Now I'm in the limelight 'cause I rhyme tight
     Time to get paid, blow up like the World Trade

• in the limelight
• steal the limelight

limelight (third-person singular simple present limelights, present participle limelighting, simple past and past participle limelighted or limelit)

1. to illuminate with limelight

• public eye