Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun plural Lights placed in a row along the front of a stage floor.
  • noun plural The theater as a profession.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun In theaters, a row of lights placed on the front of the stage, nearly on a level with the feet of the performers. Formerly called floats.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun Plural form of footlight.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun theater light at the front of a stage that illuminate the set and actors

Etymologies

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Examples

  • Being behind the footlights was a constant struggle.

    Betty Bothroyd The Autobiography Bothroyd, Betty 1988

  • Its rewards are abundant in friendships as well as in cash, and the happiness radiated to you from behind the footlights is the direct result of the happiness that permeates the very being of the smiling favorite of the gods whose efforts to please you have met with your approbation.

    The Art of Stage Dancing The Story of a Beautiful and Profitable Profession Ned Wayburn

  • The footlights are the equator of the theatre, separating the

    Writing for Vaudeville Brett Page

  • It is very sparsely furnished, but near the footlights is a large gilt couch, on which Isabelle is lying fast asleep.

    The Days Before Yesterday Frederick Spencer Hamilton 1892

  • a little too much to be drawing for Dickens and that the footlights are the illumination of his scenic world, has so remarkable a sense of

    Picture and Text 1893 Henry James 1879

  • And in front of that, the stage is dotted with footlights for added effect.

    Standing Out Among the Wilde Scenery Pia Catton 2011

  • Then I got to watch the third act from the footlights.

    Exit the Actress Priya Parmar 2011

  • People who find themselves in dire economic straits throughout America tomorrow may also be expected to turn to the red-curtained drama of mass violence in order to “send a message” across the footlights.

    Matthew Yglesias » Endgame 2010

  • From the footlights of Broadway to an ambulance in

    Lance Mannion: 2010

  • Then I got to watch the third act from the footlights.

    Exit the Actress Priya Parmar 2011

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