sidelight

American  

[sahyd-lahyt] / ˈsaɪdˌlaɪt /

noun

1. an item of incidental information.

2. either of two lights light lights carried by a vessel under way at night, a red one on the port side and a green on the starboard.

3. light lights coming from the side.

4. a window or other aperture for light lights in the side of a building, ship, etc.

5. a window at the side of a door or another window.

---

sidelight British  

/ ˈsaɪdˌlaɪt /

noun

1. light coming from the side

2. a side window

3. either of the two navigational running lights used by vessels at night, a red light on the port and a green on the starboard

4. either of two small lights on the front of a motor vehicle, used to indicate the presence of the vehicle at night rather than to assist the driver

5. additional or incidental information

---

Etymology

Origin of sidelight

First recorded in 1600–10; side ¹ + light ¹

Example Sentences

Matthiessen considered his nonfiction career a sidelight to his real literary endeavors.

From The Wall Street Journal

“It’s not all one guy outside the screen door with sidelight on him.”

From Los Angeles Times

A large, high-ceilinged dance studio by day, the room is now nightclub-dark, with multicolored sidelights and silver tinsel wrapped around the ballet barres.

From Seattle Times

After four decades, Chapman's "sidelight" has become an American nightmare.

From Salon

The entry door is framed by a fan light and sidelights.

From Washington Post