verb, (colloquial).—1. To go sight-seeing. Also, TO PLAY THE LION (q.v.).
1838. WILBERFORCE, Life, ii. 12. We came on to Oxford, LIONIZED it, and on to Cuddesdon.
1852. BRISTED, Five Years in an English University, etc., 129. For eight days I had been LIONIZING Belgium under the disadvantages of continual rain.
2. (colloquial).—To make much of; to treat as a LION (q.v.).
1843. CARLYLE, Past and Present, iv. 6. Can he do nothing for his Burns but LIONIZE him?
1860. CAROLINE FOX, Journal, ii. p. 237. Tennyson hates being LIONIZED.
1882. The Literary World, 3 Feb. Rushing off … from the splendour and LIONIZING of a London season.
1886. Fortnightly Review, xl. 357. [Liszt] allowed himself … to be LIONIZED.
3. (colloquial).—To show the sights of a place; to play the cicerone.
1871. DISRAELI, Lothair, ch. XXIV. He had LIONIZED the distinguished visitors during the last few days over the University.
4. (colloquial).—To go sightseeing.
1825. C. M. WESTMACOTT, The English Spy, i. 137. After partaking of some refreshment and adjusting my dress, we sallied forth to LIONISE as Tom called it, which is the Oxford term for gazing about, usually applied to strangers.
1849. THACKERAY, Pendennis, xviii. He would ogle the ladies who came to LIONISE the University.
