Meaning of cynosure in English

  1. Pronunciation

    /ˈsaɪnəˌʃʊ(ə)r/

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  1. Noun

    cynosure

    Etymology

    late 16th century: from French, or from Latin cynosura, from Greek kunosoura‘dog's tail’ (also ‘Ursa Minor’), from kuōn, kun-‘dog’ + oura‘tail’. The term originally denoted the constellation Ursa Minor, or the pole star which it contains, long used as a guide by navigators

    Definitions

    1. something that provides guidance (as Polaris guides mariners)

    Examples

    • « let faith be your cynosure to walk by »
  2. 2. something that strongly attracts attention and admiration

    Examples

    • « if he was the cynosure of all eyes he didn't notice »