Cynosural

/ˌsɪnəˈsʊrəl/ adjective

Definition

Relating to or serving as a guide or focal point of attention, derived from the constellation Cynosura and its use in navigation.

Etymology

From Greek 'Kynosoura' (literally 'dog's tail,' the tail star of the Little Bear constellation) used for navigation, with the Latin suffix '-al'. The constellation guided sailors for centuries.

Kelly Says

Ancient sailors literally navigated by the dog's tail in the sky—that's what Cynosura means—making it a perfect metaphor for anything that guides people, even metaphorically pointing the way.

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