cynosure

/ˈsɪnəzjʊə/

Etymology

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”).

name

  1. Ursa Minor or Polaris, the North Star, used as a guide by navigators.

noun

  1. That which serves to guide or direct; a guiding star.“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.“Towers, and battlements it sees Bosom'd high in tufted trees, Where perhaps some beauty lies, The cynosure of neighbouring eyes.”