cynosure

Where does the word "cynosure" come from? It comes from Greek kynosoura, passing through Latin and French before entering English (1590s).

Cynosure’s story begins in Greek: kynosoura meant “dog's tail (a constellation).” 'dog's tail', the Greek name for the constellation Ursa Minor, whose Pole Star guided sailors. By ancient, the word had taken hold in Latin as cynosura. Used for the same constellation. From there it passed into French as cynosure by 1500s. The guiding star. It reached English by 1590s as cynosure. From a guiding star it came to mean anything that draws every eye. Today, cynosure means a person or thing that is the centre of attention.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient kynosoura "dog's tail (a constellation)", 'dog's tail', the Greek name for the constellation Ursa Minor, whose Pole Star guided sailors.
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient cynosura "Ursa Minor", used for the same constellation.
3. Stage 3 · French · 1500s cynosure "Pole Star", the guiding star.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1590s cynosure "centre of attention", from a guiding star it came to mean anything that draws every eye.