Procyon

[ proh-see-on ]

noun

, Astronomy.

1. a first-magnitude star in the constellation Canis Minor.

Procyon

/ ˈprəʊsɪən /

noun

1. the brightest star in the constellation Canis Minor, a binary with a very faint companion. Visual magnitude: 0.34; spectral type: F5IV; distance: 114 light years

Procyon

/ prō′sē-ŏn′ /

1. A very bright binary star in the constellation Canis Minor, with an apparent magnitude of 0.34. Scientific name: Alpha Canis Minoris.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Procyon¹

1650–60; < Latin < Greek Prokýōn name of a star, equivalent to pro- pro- ² + kýōn dog ( hound ¹ ); so called because it rises just before Sirius, the Dog Star

Word History and Origins

Origin of Procyon¹

C17: via Latin from Greek Prokuōn literally: before the Dog, from pro- ² + kuōn dog; so named because it rises just before Sirius, the Dog Star

Example Sentences

What he means is that if you had to identify which animal was going through your garbage, you'd call it a raccoon, rather than saying it was "a mammal" or Procyon lotor.

From Salon

Above were splendid views of Sirius and Procyon, two of the brightest stars in the velvet-black night sky.

From Seattle Times

Then trace around the shape in an anticlockwise direction from Capella to Castor and Pollux to Procyon to Sirius, until you reach Rigel again.

From The Guardian

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