sidelight

/ˈsaɪdˌlaɪt/
noun
  1. A light that comes from the side, or a lamp positioned at the side of something.
    • The photographer used a sidelight to create dramatic shadows on the model's face.
    • The car's sidelight flickered, so we replaced the bulb before the road trip.
    • We installed a sidelight next to the front door to brighten the entryway at night.
  2. A piece of additional information that helps explain or illuminate a topic, often from a different perspective.
    • The author's diary provides an interesting sidelight on the political events of the time.
    • The documentary offered a sidelight into the daily lives of the astronauts.
    • As a sidelight, the museum guide mentioned that the painting was once stolen.
Synonyms