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



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Word of the Day

12 January 2025

HABIT

(noun) (psychology) an automatic pattern of behavior in reaction to a specific situation; may be inherited or acquired through frequent repetition; “owls have nocturnal habits”; “she had a habit twirling the ends of her hair”; “long use had hardened him to it”


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Coffee Trivia

The world’s most expensive coffee costs more than US$700 per kilogram. Asian palm civet – a cat-like creature in Indonesia, eats fruits, including select coffee cherries. It excretes partially digested seeds that produce a smooth, less acidic brew of coffee called kopi luwak.

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