calcium light
- noun
- /ˈkæl.si.əm laɪt/
- Archaic
:
luz de cal
- In the 19th century, theaters relied on calcium light to illuminate the stage.
Examples
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The actors were clearly visible under the calcium light during the performance.
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Many old theaters relied on calcium lights before electricity.
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A bright calcium light was focused on the star, making her the center of attention.
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The theater used a calcium light for dramatic effects.
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In the 19th century, theaters relied on calcium light to illuminate the stage.
-
A bright calcium light was focused on the star, making her the center of attention.
-
The actors were clearly visible under the calcium light during the performance.
Synonyms
49
2.9
A strong focused lamp that lights one person or a small area on stage
1
8.2
A bright white stage light made by a flame on lime used in old theatres
How Bright
Surface Forms
Morphology
calcium + light
The phrase is compositionally a noun–noun compound: a kind of 'light' associated with 'calcium', so a learner who knows both words can infer it refers to a type of light involving calcium or lime. However, the precise historical/technical sense (a powerful theatrical light produced by directing a flame at a cylinder of lime) is specialized and not predictable from ordinary word knowledge, so the expression is only partially transparent.
Etymology
Calcium light comes from an old stage lamp used before electric lights. Workers put a flame on a block of calcium, which made a very bright light that could be aimed at an actor, so the term means 'a very bright stage light' and explains why someone under it became the 'center of attention'.