cynosure
Use Cynosure in a sentence
nəˌʃʊər, ˈsɪn 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; < Latin Cynosūra < Greek Kynósoura the constellation Ursa Minor, equivalent to kynós dog's (genitive of kýōn) + ourá tail
1590–1600; < Latin Cynosūra < Greek Kynósoura the constellation Ursa Minor, equivalent to kynós dog's (genitive of kýōn) + ourá tail
Related forms
cy·no·sur·al, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
|
Link To cynosure
Collins
World English Dictionary
cynosure (ˈsɪnəˌzjʊə, -ʃʊə) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | a person or thing that attracts notice, esp because of its brilliance or beauty |
| 2. | something that serves as a guide |
| [C16: from Latin Cynosūra the constellation of Ursa Minor, from Greek Kunosoura, from | |
| cyno'sural | |
| —adj | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
00:10
Cynosure
is always a great word to know.
So is doohickey. Does it mean:
| a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc. |
| a gadget; dingus; thingumbob. |
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
cynosure
1590s, 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, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Cite This Source
Example sentences
But her cynosure as an artist is a disciplined evacuation of psychic distance between her subjects and the viewer.
Related Searches
Nearby Words
Copyright © 2013 Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
