Cy"no*sure (s?"n?-sh?r or s?n"?-sh?r; 277), n. [L. Cynosura theconstellation Cynosure, Gr. &?;&?;&?;&?;&?; dog's tail, the constellation Cynosure; &?;&?;&?;&?;, &?;&?;&?;&?;, dog + &?;&?;&?;&?; tail. SeeCynic.] 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.

• (literally) Cynosure — Ursa Minor, or Polaris the North Star, used as a guide
  
• something that guides
  
• something that is the center of attention
       quotations:
       *"The rooms were brilliant with lights and flowers, and gaiety and beauty, and intellect; and the lately shrinking country girl was the cynosure of all eyes---the most envied, the most dreaded, the most admired, the most loved." — Alice Cary (1820-1871), Clovernook, or Recollections of our Neighborhood in the West