A WORD A DAY
CYNOSURE. This is especially familiar in the phrase, “the cynosure of all eyes,” meaning the observed of all observers. Our everyday use of it seems far removed from its origin and yet there is a very evident and logical evolution in thought. The Greek word kynos oura means dog’s tail, which is the name given by the Greeks to the constellation Ursa Minor (The Little Bear). This contains the North Star, the fixed point around which all other constellations revolve, the guide for all mariners. Hence any thing or individual that attracts attention, the centre toward which all eyes are directed, may rightly be called a “cynosure.” Although the first syllable may be either long or short, most authorities prefer the y like long i, cy’-no-sure. Sound the y as in by, o as in obey, u as in sure. “Whenever she appeared she was the cynosure of all eyes?’
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Bibliographic details
Southland Times, Issue 21854, 3 November 1932, Page 6
Word Count
154A WORD A DAY Southland Times, Issue 21854, 3 November 1932, Page 6
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