What is "cynosura"

North \North\, a. Lying toward the north; situated at the north, or in a northern direction from the point of observation or reckoning; proceeding toward the north, or coming from the north.

North following. See Following, a., 2.

North pole, that point in the heavens, or on the earth, ninety degrees from the equator toward the north.

North preceding. See Following, a., 2.

North star, the star toward which the north pole of the earth very nearly points, and which accordingly seems fixed and immovable in the sky. The star [alpha] (alpha) of the Little Bear, is our present north star, being distant from the pole about 1[deg] 25', and from year to year approaching slowly nearer to it. It is called also Cynosura, polestar, and by astronomers, Polaris.

In Greek mythology, Cynosura (; Ancient Greek: Κυνοσούρα) was a nymph (an Oread) on Mount Ida, Crete. Cynosura (together with Helike) nursed Zeus when he was being hidden from his father, Cronus. In gratitude, Zeus placed her in the heavens as the constellation Ursa Minor; according to folk etymology and the myth, Kynosoura is from κυνὸς οὐρά "dog's tail".

Cynosura is also another name for the constellation Ursa Minor or its brightest star, Polaris.