This is the 10944th most frequent German word.
scheinwerfer
"Headlight" or "spotlight."
Here, 'Scheinwerfer' refers to the headlights of a vehicle, a common and literal usage.
Die Scheinwerfer des Autos leuchteten die Straße vor uns aus.
The car's headlights illuminated the road in front of us.
In this context, 'Scheinwerfer' means stage lights, used in theaters or performances.
Die Schauspielerin stand im Rampenlicht der Scheinwerfer auf der Bühne.
The actress stood in the spotlight of the stage lights.
Here, 'Scheinwerferlicht' alludes metaphorically to the light emitted by vehicle headlights, conveying a state of being startled.