What is "cynosure"

Cynosure \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 + o'yra` tail. See Cynic.]

1. The constellation of the Lesser Bear (Ursa Minor), 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.

1590s, from Middle French cynosure (16c.), from Latin Cynosura, literally "dog's tail," the constellation (now Ursa Minor) containing the North Star, the focus of navigation, from Greek kynosoura, literally "dog's tail," from kyon (genitive kynos; see canine) + oura "tail" (see arse).

n. 1 (context usually capitalized English) Ursa Minor or Polaris, the North Star, used as a guide by navigators. 2 (context figuratively English) That which serves to guide or direct; a guiding star. 3 Something that is the center of attention; an object that serves as a focal point of attraction and admiration.

1. n. something that provides guidance (as Polaris guides mariners); "let faith be your cynosure to walk by"

2. something that strongly attracts attention and admiration; "if he was the cynosure of all eyes he didn't notice"

Cynosure is a fictional pan-dimensional city that exists within the First Comics multiverse. It is described as floating in a "bubble" in the "pan-dimensional vortex." Because of its unique situation, Cynosure is an important center of multi-versal commerce and much of the city's government is geared toward maintaining favorable trading conditions.

Different zones of the city operate under different physical laws because of the proximity of other dimensions. Guns and other technology work in some parts of the city and not others. Similarly, magic is operable some places and not others. Swords generally work everywhere. Different dimensions variously move in and out of phase with Cynosure, regularly in some instances and randomly in others. Occasionally dimensions will seemingly exist entirely within the confines of Cynosure, as for example the so-called "snowball dimensions" which roam throughout the city, or at "Infinity Lanes," a bowling alley in which each lane is a separate dimension.

Perhaps the most noted resident of Cynosure is John Gaunt, also known as Grimjack. His fate is uniquely tied to that of the city, as he is doomed to be reincarnated for as long as the city exists. This doom came about when Gaunt voluntarily walked out of Heaven to save the life of a friend who, if he were to die, would have been condemned forever to Hell. It is through Grimjack's experiences during two of his incarnations (Gaunt and James Twilley) that much of what is known about Cynosure was revealed.

Cynosure may refer to:

Something that attracts by brilliance, looks, or due to interest; something that is the center of attention; an object that serves as a focal point of attraction and admiration. Also a synonym for the North star, Polaris, in the constellation of Ursa Minor (Gr: Κυνοσούρα kunosoura ‘dog's tail’)

• Cynosure (comics), fictional pan-dimensional city that exists within the First Comics multiverse
• Cynosura, nymph in Greek mythology
• Cynosura, another name for the pole star Polaris
• Cynosure (album), an album by progressive/ power metal band Viathyn
• Cynosure, a company that manufactures aesthetic medical devices.

Cynosure is the second full-length album by the power metal/ progressive metal band by Viathyn. It was released physically and digitally in 2014.