Canis Minor

noun

Canis Mi·​nor ˌkā-nəs-ˈmī-nər How to pronounce Canis Minor (audio)
ˌka-
: a constellation to the east of Orion containing Procyon

Examples of Canis Minor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
There’s the great Orion himself, surrounded by his cast of characters like Taurus the Bull, Auriga the chariot driver, Gemini the Twins, Lepus the Killer Rabbit, Canis Minor the Little Dog, and Canis Major, the Big Dog. Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 4 Feb. 2024 Now go back towards the horizon to Procyon (in Canis Minor). Jamie Carter, Forbes, 4 Jan. 2022 One isProcyon, the brightest star in the constellation Canis Minor the Lesser Dog. Todd Nelson, Star Tribune, 17 Apr. 2021 Just me and Canis Minor. Phil Plait, Discover Magazine, 25 Feb. 2012

Word History

Etymology

Latin (genitive Canis Minoris), literally, lesser dog

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Canis Minor was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near Canis Minor

Cite this Entry

“Canis Minor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Canis%20Minor. Accessed 20 Nov. 2024.

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