-ure2
Forming nouns.
[Greek oura, tail.]
The best-known example is cynosure (kuōn, kun-, dog, originally the constellation Ursa Minor or the pole star, used for navigation), a person or thing that is the centre of attention or admiration. Several examples are alternative names for animals: gymnure (Greek gumnos, naked), the moonrat; zonure (Greek zōnē, girdle), the girdled lizard; dasyure (Greek dasus, rough, hairy), another name for the quoll.
Visit Michael Quinion’s World Wide Words site for 2000+ articles on English!
Copyright © Michael Quinion 2008–. All rights reserved. Page last updated 23 September 2008.
Your comments and suggestions on the site are very welcome.