Some 16th-century Italian clergymen tried to ban coffee because they believed it to be “satanic.” However, Pope Clement VII loved coffee so much that he lifted the ban and had coffee baptized in 1600.
CYNOSURE
cynosure
(noun) something that strongly attracts attention and admiration; “if he was the cynosure of all eyes he didn’t notice”
cynosure
(noun) something that provides guidance (as Polaris guides mariners); “let faith be your cynosure to walk by”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Noun
cynosure (plural cynosures)
(usually capitalized) Ursa Minor or Polaris, the North Star, used as a guide by navigators.
(figuratively) That which serves to guide or direct; a guiding star.
(figuratively) Something that is the center of attention; an object that serves as a focal point of attraction and admiration.
Anagrams
• rounceys
Source: Wiktionary
Cy"no*sure (s"n-shr or sn"-shr; 277), n. Etym: [L. Cynosura theconstellation Cynosure, Gr. Cynic.]
1. The constellation of the Lesser Bear, to which, as containing the polar star, the eyes of mariners and travelers were often directed.
2. That which serves to direct. Southey.
3. Anything to which attention is strongly turned; a center of attraction. Where perhaps some beauty lies, The cynosure of neighboring eyes. Milton.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
Recent Word Finds
Word of the Day
22 February 2025
ANALYSIS
(noun) the use of closed-class words instead of inflections: e.g., ‘the father of the bride’ instead of ‘the bride’s father’
Coffee Trivia
