Cynosure
/ˈsaɪ.nə.ʃʊər/noun
Something or someone that attracts a lot of attention or serves as the center of interest.
Did you know?Cynosure originally referred to Ursa Minor, the constellation that guided sailors at night, and its name comes from Greek for “dog’s tail,” a poetic image for the starry trail.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
kynosoura
“the tail of a dog; the constellation Ursa Minor”
Late Latin
Latin
cynosura
“Ursa Minor; a guiding star or constellation”
16th Century
English
cynosure
“Ursa Minor; something that serves as a center of attention or guide”
Modern English
English
cynosure
“the center of attraction or interest”