Canis Minor

[ key-nis mahy-ner ]

noun

, Astronomy.

, genitive Ca·nis Mi·no·ris [key, -nis mahy-, nawr, -is, -, nohr, -].

1. the Little or Lesser Dog, a small southern constellation west of Orion and south of Gemini, containing the bright star Procyon.

Canis Minor

noun

1. a small constellation in the N hemisphere close to Orion, containing the first magnitude star Procyon Also calledthe Little Dog

Canis Minor

1. A constellation in the Northern Hemisphere near Hydra and the celestial equator. Canis Minor (the Lesser Dog) contains the bright star Procyon.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Canis Minor¹

< Latin: smaller dog

Word History and Origins

Origin of Canis Minor¹

Latin: the lesser dog

Example Sentences

“There's another Level One girls' dorm next door called Hydra, and the boys' ones are right across the hall called Canis Minor and Zepus. But there's more for older kids.”

From Literature

Canis Major and Canis Minor are the constellations named for Orion's two hunting dogs.

From Salon

As Bill explained: “Procyon is the main star in the constellation Canis Minor, i.e., the lesser dog as compared with the constellation Canis Major.”

From Washington Post

“I pet my dog, and sparks fly,” said Turnshek, whose pooch is named Procyon after a star in the constellation Canis Minor.

From Washington Post

“Look, J.B., there’s Canis Major and Canis Minor. That means the big dog and the little dog.”

From Literature