cynosural

enUK

cy·no·sure

C0840200 (sī′nə-sho͝or′, sĭn′ə-)n.1. An object that serves as a focal point of attention and admiration.2. Something that serves to guide.
[French, Ursa Minor (which contains the guiding star Polaris), from Latin cynosūra, from Greek kunosoura, dog's tail, Ursa Minor : kunos, genitive of kuōn, dog; see kwon- in Indo-European roots + ourā, tail; see ors- in Indo-European roots.]
cy′no·sur′al adj.