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cynosural

 - 3 dictionary results

cy⋅no⋅sure

  [sahy-nuh-shoor, sin-uh-]
Use cynosural in a Sentence
–noun
1. something that strongly attracts attention by its brilliance, interest, etc.: the cynosure of all eyes.
2. something serving for guidance or direction.
Origin:
1590–1600; < L Cynosūra < Gk Kynósoura the constellation Ursa Minor, equiv. to kynós dog's (gen. of kýōn) + ourá tail

Related forms:
cy⋅no⋅sur⋅al, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To cynosural
cy·no·sure   (sī'nə-shŏŏr', sĭn'ə-)   
n.  

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

  2. Something that serves to guide.


[French, Ursa Minor (which contains the guiding star Polaris), from Latin cynosūra, from Greek kunosoura, dog's tail, Ursa Minor : kunos, genitive of kuōn, dog; see kwon- in Indo-European roots + ourā, tail; see ors- in Indo-European roots.]
cy'no·sur'al adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

cynosure 
1596, from M.Fr. cynosure, from L. Cynosura, lit. "dog's tail," the constellation (now Ursa Minor) containing the North Star, the focus of navigation, from Gk. kynosoura, lit. "dog's tail."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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