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footlights

footlights

1 5.6
A row of small lamps along the front of a stage that shine on actors
  • noun
  • /ˈfutˌlaɪts/
  • Specialized
translation icon : focos

Examples

  • Being in the wings at Footlights and getting one line in a sketch.

    Blog text (6)
  • The actors stepped into the spotlight, illuminated by the warm glow of the footlights at the front of the stage.

  • As the scene began, the director made sure the footlights were bright enough to highlight the actors' expressions.

  • The theater was filled with excitement as the crew adjusted the footlights to ensure the audience could see the stage clearly.

Synonyms

theater light
vsfootlights
  • Specialized
3.2

A light that shines on actors and the stage during performances

is the specific row of lights at the front edge of the stage

How Bright

floodlight
9 3.4
spotlight
49 2.9
theater light
  • Specialized
3.2
footlights
  • Specialized
1 5.6

Surface Forms

footlights plural

Morphology

footlights = footlight (transparent) = foot + light + s

The compound 'foot' + 'light' clearly denotes a light at the foot/front of the stage, and the plural '-s' is a regular inflection.

Etymology

Footlights is simply foot (meaning 'bottom' or 'front edge') plus lights, because these lamps sit at the foot of the stage near the actors' feet. So, footlights means the row of lights along the front of a theatre stage that light the set and the actors.