Cynosure
[SY-nə-shur]
Part of speech: noun
Origin: French, late 16th century
1.
A person or thing that is the center of attention or admiration.
Examples of Cynosure in a sentence
"The prince was the cynosure of the coronation."
"The song 'Dancing Queen' describes a teenager who is the cynosure of the dance floor."
About Cynosure
This word developed from a combination of French, Latin, and Greek words — specifically the Latin word “cynosura” and the Greek word “kunosoura,” or “dog’s tail,” as taken from the words “kun” ("dog") and “oura” ("tail").
Did you Know?
Cynosure was originally used to describe the center of attention in the sky — the constellation Ursa Major (aka the Big Dipper). The pole star in this constellation was used as a guide by navigators on land and at sea, allowing them to both explore and return safely home.
