Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Spotlight \Spot"light`\, n.
   The projected spot or circle of light used to illuminate
   brilliantly a single person or object or group on the stage;
   leaving the rest of the stage more or less unilluminated;
   hence, conspicuous public notice. [Cant or Colloq.]

Source : WordNet®

spotlight
     n 1: a focus of public attention; "he enjoyed being in the
          limelight"; "when Congress investigates it brings the
          full glare of publicity to the agency" [syn: {limelight},
           {glare}, {public eye}]
     2: a lamp that produces a strong beam of light to illuminate a
        restricted area; used to focus attention of a stage
        performer [syn: {spot}]
     v 1: move into the foreground to make more visible or prominent;
          "The introduction highlighted the speaker's
          distinguished career in linguistics" [syn: {foreground},
           {highlight}, {play up}] [ant: {background}, {background}]
     2: illuminate with a spotlight, as in the theater
     [also: {spotlit}]