cynosure

cy·no·sure

noun \ˈsī-nə-ˌshu̇r, ˈsi-\

Definition of CYNOSURE

1

capitalized : the northern constellation Ursa Minor; also : north star

2

: one that serves to direct or guide

3

: a center of attraction or attention <turned an eyesore into a cynosure — Catherine Reynolds>

Examples of CYNOSURE

1. <with an unwavering commitment to equal rights for all as his only cynosure>
2. <that company is the cynosure for anyone wishing to make it in the music business>

Origin of CYNOSURE

Middle French & Latin; Middle French, Ursa Minor, guide, from Latin cynosura Ursa Minor, from Greek kynosoura, from kynos oura, literally, dog's tail

First Known Use: 1565

Related to CYNOSURE

Synonyms: compass, direction, focus, lodestar (also loadstar), polestar

Related Words: benchmark, criterion, grade, mark, measure, par, standard, touchstone, yardstick; aim, ambition, aspiration, dream, goal, intention, object, objective, purpose, target

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Other Astronomy Terms

gibbous, nadir, nebulous, penumbra, retrograde, sidereal, syzygy, wane, wax, zenith

Rhymes with CYNOSURE

amateur, aperture, armature, blackamoor, carrefour, carte du jour, coinsure, commissure, confiture, connoisseur, coverture, curvature, embouchure, epicure, filature, forfeiture, garniture, geniture, green-manure, haute couture, immature, insecure, ligature, manicure, overture, paramour, pedicure, plat du jour, portraiture, prelature, premature, quadrature, reassure, Reaumur, reinsure, saboteur, sepulture, sequitur, signature, simon-pure, sinecure, soup du jour, tablature, temperature, to be sure, troubadour, white amur, Yom Kippur