| 释义 |
cynosure|ˈsɪnəʊ-, ˈsaɪnəʊsjə(r), -zjʊə(r)|
Also 6–7 in Lat. form.
[a. F. cynosure (16th c.), ad. L. cynosūra, a. Gr. κυνόσουρα dog's tail, Ursa Minor.]
1. The northern constellation Ursa Minor, which contains in its tail the Pole-star; also applied to the Pole-star itself.
1596C. Fitzgeffrey Sir F. Drake (1881) 14 Cynosure, whose praise the sea-man sings. 1612Davies Why Ireland, etc. (1787) 199 The circuit of the Cinosura about the pole. 1627May Lucan iii. (1631) 239 These Ships..the Cynosure Guides straight along the sea. 1792D. Lloyd Voy. Life iv. 72 The stedfast Cynosure renown'd at sea.
2. fig.
a. Something that serves for guidance or direction; a ‘guiding star’.
1596C. Fitzgeffrey Sir F. Drake (1881) 33 The Cynosura of the purest thought, Faire Helicé, by whom the heart is taught. 1649Bp. Hall Cases Consc. (1650) 9 For the guidance of our either caution or liberty..the onely Cynosure is our Charity. 1691Wood Ath. Oxon. I. 18 He hath written, The Rudiments of Grammar..the Cynosura for many of our best Grammarians. 1809Mrs. West Mother (1810) 225 Thy victor-flag Flames like a steady cynosure.
b. Something that attracts attention by its brilliancy or beauty; a centre of attraction, interest, or admiration.
[1599Broughton's Lett. viii. 26 You Cynosura and Lucifer of nations, the stupor and admiration of the world.] 1601Bp. W. Barlow Serm. Paules Crosse 64 Himselfe..the Cynosure of their affections. 1632Milton L'Allegro 77 Some beauty..The Cynosure of neighbouring eyes. 1837Carlyle Fr. Rev. I. ii. i, The fair young Queen..the cynosure of all eyes. 1870Disraeli Lothair lxxxiii. 445 Before another year elapses Rome will be the cynosure of the world. |