noun, the northern constellation Ursa Minor, also, Northern Star, one that serves to direct or guide, a centre of attraction or attention.
The princess--with her angelic beauty, grace, and charm--was the cynosure of the ball.
Ancient mariners noted that all the stars in the heavens seem to revolve around a particular star, and they relied on it to guide their navigation. This bright star appears in the constellation known to today's English speakers a Ursa Minor, or the Little Dipper, but the ancient Greeks called it Kynosoura, a term that comes from a phrase meaning "dogstail." Kynosoura passed into Latin and Middle French, becoming cynosure. Then English speakers adopted the term in the mid-16th century, they used it as a name for the constellation and the star (which is also known as the North Star) and also to identify a guide of any kind. By the early 17th century, "cynosure" was also being used figuratively for anything or anyone that, like the North Star, was the focus of attention or observation.
Everyone go out and enjoy the day wherever you are!
hugs always
karen charlie and enzo
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