ˈhighlight, ˈhigh-light, v.
[f. prec.]
trans. a. To bring into prominence, to ‘feature’, to draw attention to.
| 1934 M. Weseen Dict. Amer. Slang x. 143 Highlight, to give one a prominent place on a program or a leading part in a show. Highlighted, marked by; featured by. 1945 Nelson & Wright Tomorrow's House iv. 43/2 This seemingly minor problem..highlights what should be the fundamental approach to planning. 1951 Mind LX. 23 The view is..made more plausible by highlighting..aspects of scientific procedure. 1952 Granville Dict. Theatr. Terms (ed. 2) 97 Highlight, to give prominence to an artiste in the billing or newspaper publicity matter, the build-up of a show, or of an individual artiste. 1955 Priestley & Hawkes Journey down Rainbow p. xi, Football games, night clubs, TV programmes, hotel festivities, can be ignored and certainly should not be high-lighted by the serious social critic. 1957 Economist 19 Oct. 192/1 The genuineness with which each holds the belief was highlit during last week's..interview. 1958 Listener 2 Oct. 501/1 Statistics such as these are cold and dull and do little to highlight the tremendous importance of industrial organizations in modern society. 1965 New Statesman 30 Apr. 670/3 Thursday's polling is unlikely to highlight any notable national trends. 1967 Singha & Massey Indian Dances ii. 42 A tirmana is used to conclude a section of dance or highlight a portion in the middle. |
b. spec. To tint or bleach portions of the hair in such a way that they catch and reflect the light. More widely in make-up: see quot. 1952. Also ˈhighlighting vbl. n.
| 1942 D. Powell Time to be Born (1943) vi. 132 ‘You've had your hair dyed.’.. ‘Not dyed. High-lighted is the new word,’ said Vickey. 1952 Granville Dict. Theatr. Terms (ed. 2) 97 Highlight, in make-up, to accentuate cheekbones and other features and effectively contrast the shade, on the face. 1959 Punch 3 June 752/2 For grey hair there is a treatment..which highlights the hair and dismisses yellow discoloration. 1972 Vogue 15 Mar. 3/2 New Pure Pearl-Light Everywhere Colour for highlighting round the eyes. |
Hence ˈhighlighter, a marker pen which overlays a printed word, etc. with a transparent (usu. fluorescent) colour, leaving it legible and emphasized. (Also Hi-liter, proprietary in the U.S.)
| 1964 Official Gaz. (U.S. Patent Office) 26 May tm182 The Carter's Ink Company, Cambridge, Mass... Hi-liter for marking pens. First use June 1962. 1986 Neat Ideas Catal. Apr. 16/2 Stabilo Boss highlighters. |
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Add: c. spec. To mark (text, figures, etc.) with a highlighter pen.
| 1968 Office Apr. 112/3 A line of slim Hi-Liter markers that let you highlight printed material in four different colors. 1983 J. Wilcox Mod. Baptists (1984) xvi. 113 Mrs. Keely highlighted a passage in her book with a yellow Marks-a-Lot. 1988 A. Lurie Truth about Lorin Jones x. 172 She highlighted in yellow magic marker the books and articles recommended by Jeanne. 1990 Country Walking Jan. 16/2 (Advt.), Simply find the hidden words..and then circle or highlight them. |