canis major: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal / Scientific
Quick answer
What does “canis major” mean?
A prominent constellation in the southern celestial hemisphere, named Latin for 'Greater Dog'.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A prominent constellation in the southern celestial hemisphere, named Latin for 'Greater Dog'.
It is most famous for containing Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky, often referred to as the 'Dog Star'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Pronunciations differ slightly (see IPA).
Connotations
Same scientific and mythological connotations in both regions.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in general discourse, slightly more common in astronomy contexts globally.
Grammar
How to Use “canis major” in a Sentence
[Canis Major] + [verb: is located/contains/is visible][preposition: in/of] + [Canis Major]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “canis major” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- Canis Major stars are brilliant.
American English
- The Canis Major constellation is easily spotted.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in astronomy, astrophysics, and classical studies papers.
Everyday
Rare, mostly used by amateur astronomers or in trivia.
Technical
Precise term in celestial cartography, navigation (historical), and observational astronomy.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “canis major”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “canis major”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “canis major”
- Misspelling as 'Canis Mayor' (confusion with a title).
- Using lowercase ('canis major').
- Pronouncing 'Canis' with a short /æ/ as in 'can'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It translates directly to 'Greater Dog' or 'Big Dog'.
Yes, it is best visible in the Northern Hemisphere during winter months, low in the southern sky.
No, Sirius is merely the brightest. The constellation contains many other stars, such as Adhara and Wezen.
In mythology, they are both hunting dogs of Orion. Canis Major is the 'greater' or larger dog, while Canis Minor is the 'lesser' or smaller dog.
A prominent constellation in the southern celestial hemisphere, named Latin for 'Greater Dog'.
Canis major is usually formal / scientific in register.
Canis major: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkeɪ.nɪs ˈmeɪ.dʒə(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkeɪ.nɪs ˈmeɪ.dʒɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'CAN IS MAJOR' – a giant tin can that is a major feature in the sky, near Orion.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE COSMOS IS A MENAGERIE / A MYTHOLOGICAL STAGE.
Practice
Quiz
What is Canis Major?