Etymograph

English

footlight

From foot + light.

A compound of foot + light

Proto-Indo-European *pṓds ‘foot’

Proto-Germanic *fōts ‘foot’

Proto-West Germanic *fōt

Old English fōt ‘foot’

Middle English fot ‘foot’

English foot

Proto-Indo-European *lewk- ‘to shine’

…

Proto-Germanic *leuhtą

Proto-West Germanic *leuht ‘light’

Old English lēoht

Middle English light ‘light, illumination’

English light

Today it means

noun A stage light located at the front edge of the stage that illuminates the actors from foot level up.

Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.

Etymograph / footlight