Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1800-1900
Origin: LIME12 + light; because originally the light was produced by burning lime

limelight

 noun
     
lime‧light [singular, uncountable]
a situation in which someone receives a lot of attention, especially from newspapers, television etc
in/out of the limelight
Tad loves being in the limelight.
The president's wife wanted to stay out of the limelight.
She's afraid this new actor will steal the limelight from her.
his few moments of limelight in front of the cameras
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.
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