cynosure

noun /ˈsɪnəzjʊə/

1. That which serves to guide or direct; a guiding star.

   figuratively

   let faith be your cynosure to walk by

2. Something that is the center of attention; an object that serves as a focal point of attraction and admiration.

   figuratively

   Bosom'd high in tufted trees, Where perhaps some beauty lies, The cynosure of neighbouring eyes.

   Towers, and battlements it sees

Where it comes from

From Middle French Cynosure (“Ursa Minor; Polaris”), from Latin Cynosūra (“Ursa Minor”), from Ancient Greek Κυνόσουρα (Kunósoura, “Ursa Minor”, literally “dog’s tail”), from κυνός (kunós, “dog's”) + οὐρά (ourá, “tail”).

Adapted from the Wiktionary entry cynosure (CC BY-SA 4.0).

← cyningdackle →

Another random word More words starting with C