pole star

Definitions

1. The star visible to the naked eye which was in the past, is now, or will be in the future nearest a celestial pole of a planet.
2. Synonym of North Star, the current northern pole star, which has been Polaris for the last 1500 years.
3. A person, principle, or thing which acts as a guide; a guiding light; also, something which attracts much attention; a centre of attention.
   figuratively

Equivalents

Examples

“Polaris is currently the pole star of planet Earth.”

“Who can doubt⟳ that poetry will revive and lead⟳ in a new age, as the star in the constellation Harp, which now flames in our zenith, astronomers announce⟳, shall one day be the pole-star for a thousand years?”

“But it [our hotel] has one great advantage for a stranger, by being in the market place⟳, and the next neighbour of the huge church of St. Nicholas: […] A better pole-star could scarcely be desired.”

“Love⟳ was her pole-star. What was Jason's? Only the blankness of despair.”

CEFR level