Canis \Ca"nis\ (k[a^]"n[i^]s), n.; pl. Canes (-n[=e]z). [L., a dog.]

(Zo["o]l.) A genus of carnivorous mammals, of the family Canid[ae], including the dogs and wolves.

Canis major [L., larger dog], a constellation to the southeast of Orion, containing Sirius or the Dog Star.

Canis minor [L., smaller dog], a constellation to the east of Orion, containing Procyon, a star of the first magnitude.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)