canine

[ key-nahyn ]

adjective

1. of or like a dog; relating to or characteristic of dogs:

   canine loyalty.

2. Anatomy, Zoology. of or relating to the four pointed teeth, especially prominent in dogs, situated one on each side of each jaw, next to the incisors.

noun

1. a canid, or member of the dog family Canidae.
2. a dog.
3. a canine tooth; cuspid.

canine

/ ˈkæn-; ˈkeɪnaɪn /

adjective

1. of or resembling a dog; doglike
2. of, relating to, or belonging to the Canidae, a family of mammals, including dogs, jackals, wolves, and foxes, typically having a bushy tail, erect ears, and a long muzzle: order Carnivora (carnivores)
3. of or relating to any of the four teeth, two in each jaw, situated between the incisors and the premolars

noun

1. any animal of the family Canidae
2. a canine tooth

canine

/ kā′nīn /

Adjective

1. Characteristic of or resembling dogs, wolves, or related animals.
2. Relating to any of the four pointed teeth located behind the incisors in most mammals. In carnivores, the canine teeth are adapted for cutting and tearing meat.

Noun

1. A canine tooth.

Other Words From

• ca·nin·i·ty [key-, nin, -i-tee], noun
• super·canine adjective noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of canine¹

1350–1400; Middle English canine canine tooth (< Middle French ) < Latin canīnus, equivalent to can ( is ) dog + -īnus -ine ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of canine¹

C17: from Latin canīnus, from canis dog

Example Sentences

To figure out the human equivalent for a dog’s age, most people just multiply by seven how long their canine has been around.

From Science News For Students

For example, Mychenberg’s dog Hercules will react to people and other canines, so they taught him to heel to her right side.

From Popular-Science

There are many to choose from, including models that can help keep an eager canine from pulling on the leash.

From Popular-Science

New research suggests the change is happening only in places where the wild canine’s populations are controlled with poison.

From Science News

This allowed the canines to sniff a sample without touching it.

From Science News For Students

Me & Dog is off to a promising start and Mary Magdalene has some canine companionship.

From The Daily Beast

Marines on skis and snowboards, several with leashed canine companions at their sides.

From The Daily Beast

Catcoin And so explains the birth of Catcoin, the latest creation hell-bent on knocking its canine counterpart off its perch.

From The Daily Beast

Professional shows weren't his thing, but this canine will wear just about anything and pose for the camera.

From The Daily Beast

Right after all the parades for record-setting grain harvests and successful launches of canine cosmonauts.

From The Daily Beast

As the caravan came nearer, David was convinced that he saw before him the owner of the cache and the canine.

From Project Gutenberg

The specimens from Honduras have a basal cusp on the hinder edge of the lower canine.

From Project Gutenberg

The canine teeth are proportionally much thicker and longer than those of men.

From Project Gutenberg

His tail is very short, not exceeding two or three inches; his canine teeth are much thicker and longer than those of man.

From Project Gutenberg

He has six incisive and two canine teeth in each jaw, without reckoning the grinders.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• mutt
• pooch
• pup