Canis Major

[ key-nis mey-jer ]
/ ˈkeɪ nɪs ˈmeɪ dʒər /

noun, genitive Ca·nis Ma·jo·ris [key-nis muh-jawr-is, -johr-] /ˈkeɪ nɪs məˈdʒɔr ɪs, -ˈdʒoʊr-/. Astronomy.

the Great Dog, a southern constellation between Puppis and Orion, containing Sirius, the Dog Star, the brightest of the stars.

Origin of Canis Major

< Latin: larger dog

British Dictionary definitions for canis major

Canis Major
/ (ˈkeɪnɪs) /

noun Latin genitive Canis Majoris (məˈdʒɔːrɪs)

a constellation in the S hemisphere close to Orion, containing Sirius, the brightest star in the sky Also called: the Great Dog

Word Origin for Canis Major

Latin: the greater dog

Scientific definitions for canis major

Canis Major
[ kā′nĭs ]

A constellation in the Southern Hemisphere near Orion. Canis Major (the Greater Dog) contains Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky.