Also 6–7 in Lat. form. [a. F. cynosure (16th c.), ad. L. cynosūra, a. Gr. κυνόσουρα dog’s tail, Ursa Minor.]
1. The northern constellation Ursa Minor, which contains in its tail the Pole-star; also applied to the Pole-star itself.
1596. Fitz-Geffrey, Sir F. Drake (1881), 14. Cynosure, whose praise the sea-man sings.
1612. Davies, Why Ireland, etc. (1787), 199. The circuit of the Cinosura about the pole.
1627. May, Lucan, III. (1631), 239. These Ships … the Cynosure Guides straight along the sea.
1792. D. Lloyd, Voy. Life, IV. 72. The stedfast Cynosure renown’d at sea.
2. fig. a. Something that serves for guidance or direction; a ‘guiding star.’
1596. Fitz-Geffrey, Sir F. Drake (1881), 33. The Cynosura of the purest thought, Faire Helicé, by whom the heart is taught.
1649. Bp. Hall, Cases Consc. (1650), 9. For the guidance of our either caution, or liberty in matter of borrowing, and lending, the onely Cynosure is our Charity.
1691. Wood, Ath. Oxon., I. 18. He hath written, The Rudiments of Grammar … the Cynosura for many of our best Grammarians.
1809. Mrs. West, Mother (1810), 225. Thy victor-flag Flames like a steady cynosure.
b. Something that attracts attention by its brilliancy or beauty; a center of attraction, interest or admiration.
[1599. Broughton’s Lett., viii. 26. You Cynosura and Lucifer of nations, the stupor and admiration of the world.]
1601. Bp. W. Barlow, Serm. Paules Crosse, 64. Himselfe … the Cynosure of their affections.
1632. Milton, L’Allegro, 77. Some beauty … The Cynosure of neighbouring eyes.
1837. Carlyle, Fr. Rev., I. II. i. The fair young Queen … the cynosure of all eyes.
1870. Disraeli, Lothair, lxxxiii. 441. Before another year elapses Rome will be the cynosure of the world.
