Etymology Map
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Cynosure

4 stages from Greek to English.

Today it means a person or thing that is the centre of attention

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

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

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.