cynosure
Americannoun
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something that strongly attracts attention by its brilliance, interest, etc..
the cynosure of all eyes.
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something serving for guidance or direction.
Gandhi's life remains a cynosure for all of us.
noun
-
a person or thing that attracts notice, esp because of its brilliance or beauty
-
something that serves as a guide
Other Word Forms
- cynosural adjective
Etymology
Origin of cynosure
First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin Cynosūra, from Greek Kynósoura the constellation Ursa Minor (Little Dipper), equivalent to kynós “dog's” (genitive of kýōn ) + ourá “tail”; hound 1 ( def. ), ass 2 ( def. )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
From these beginnings, the Voice grew into a cynosure of the counterculture.
From Los Angeles Times
This was near the climax of “The Path of Pins or the Path of Needles,” a cynosure of this year’s FringeArts Festival in Philadelphia, which began on Sept. 8 and runs until Oct.
From New York Times
DOM is in a spacious underground room, with a glowing bar done in striated honey onyx as its cynosure.
From New York Times
Brady was fortunate to come along just as the N.F.L. altered multiple playing rules that made the quarterback the cynosure of a pass-happy, high-scoring game with fleet receivers unfettered to dash upfield for long passes.
From New York Times
It’s also possible that the meme stocks will again become the cynosures of online promoters.
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
