Ever heard or used this word before?

I'm just about halfway into the 700+ page behemoth Alexander Hamilton, which served as the inspiration for the hit Broadway musical.

The author of the book, Ron Chernow, took the liberty of littering the book with a wide array of big words, many of which have prompted me to pull out my trusty dictionary.

One such unfamiliar word that caught my attention was cynosure.

Cynosure stands for an object that serves as a focal point of attention and admiration.

Hamilton, the first U.S. secretary of the treasury, captivated women with his good looks and charm. It's no surprise, then, that he built a reputation as something of a flirt, not missing an opportunity to strike up conversations with beautiful ladies at balls and banquets (all this despite being married).

Even men found him arresting on account of his intelligence, boldness, and knack for conversation.

In modern parlance, many would probably just employ "hunk" or "eye candy."

Had you ever used or heard the word cynosure before?

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