cynosure

cy·no·sure  (sn-shr, sn-)

n.

1. An object that serves as a focal point of attention and admiration.

2. Something that serves to guide.

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[French, Ursa Minor (which contains the guiding star Polaris), from Latin cynosra, from Greek kunosoura, dog's tail, Ursa Minor : kunos, genitive of kun, dog; see kwon- in Indo-European roots + our, tail; see ors- in Indo-European roots.]

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cyno·sural adj.

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cynosure [sin-oh-zyure]

Noun

Literary a centre of interest or attention [Greek Kunosoura dog's tail (name of the constellation of Ursa Minor)]

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cynosure

anything that guides or leads; hence, a center of attention.

See also: Guides and Guiding

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	cynosure - something that provides guidance (as Polaris guides mariners); "let faith be your cynosure to walk by" counseling, counselling, guidance, counsel, direction - something that provides direction or advice as to a decision or course of action
	2.	cynosure - something that strongly attracts attention and admiration; "if he was the cynosure of all eyes he didn't notice" center of attention, centre of attention, center, centre - the object upon which interest and attention focuses; "his stories made him the center of the party"