Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Lionize \Li"on*ize\ (-[imac]z), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Lionized}
   (-[imac]zd), p. pr. & vb. n. {Lionizing} (-[imac]`z[i^]ng).]
   1. To treat or regard as a lion or object of great interest.
      -- J. D. Forbes.

   2. To show the lions or objects of interest to; to conduct
      about among objects of interest. --Macaulay.

Source : WordNet®

lionize
     v : assign great social importance to; "The film director was
         celebrated all over Hollywood"; "The tenor was lionized
         in Vienna" [syn: {lionise}, {celebrate}]