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Synonyms

canine

American  
[key-nahyn] / ˈkeɪ naɪn /

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 British  
/ ˈkeɪnaɪn, ˈkæn- /

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. any animal of the family Canidae

  2. a canine tooth

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
canine Scientific  
/ kānīn /
  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.


  1. A canine tooth.

Other Word Forms

  • caninity noun
  • supercanine adjective

Etymology

Origin of canine

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

With her windswept head stretched far out the car window, she seemed a canine Gen. Patton scanning the horizon in the race to Messina.

From The Wall Street Journal

"This long-term behavioral change highlights the potential of CBD as a therapy for canine behavioral issues," added co-author Dr. Julia Albright, an associate professor at the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Tennessee.

From Science Daily

The dogs, all friends, work out together at a training facility for canine athletes.

From The Wall Street Journal

He then demands that she report to his home office, where, moments after she steps into the room, he tersely says, “Sit,” as if issuing a command to another canine.

From Salon

He smiled the rubbery, doggish Ashton smile that all the men in his family shared, wide and toothy, with the canine teeth on full display.

From Literature