Canis Major

8.1

A group of stars in the southern sky containing the bright star Sirius

proper noun
/ˈkeɪnɪs ˈmeɪdʒər/

: Can Mayor

The brightest star in Canis Major is Sirius.

Examples

In mythology, Canis Major is known as the Great Dog, faithfully following Orion across the heavens.
The constellation Canis Major is best seen from the southern hemisphere during the months of February and March.
Astronomers often observe Canis Major to locate Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky.
Have you ever seen Canis Major in the night sky?
Astronomers often observe Canis Major to locate Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky.
In mythology, Canis Major is known as the Great Dog, faithfully following Orion across the heavens.
The constellation Canis Major is best seen from the southern hemisphere during the months of February and March.

Synonyms

Great Dog

vsCanis Major

8.6

A group of stars in the southern sky southeast of Orion that includes the bright star Sirius

is the alternative traditional name used for the same constellation

Surface Forms

Canis Major main

Morphology

Canis + Major

The parts 'Canis' (dog/genus) and 'Major' (greater) yield a clear literal sense of 'greater dog', so the constituent meanings are interpretable. However, the specific lexicalized sense 'a named constellation' is a proper-name usage (Latinized astronomical label) that a B1 learner would not reliably infer from the literal parts alone without prior exposure.

Etymology

Canis Major comes from old Latin words Canis meaning 'dog' and Major meaning 'greater', so the name literally means 'big dog'. Long ago people saw a shape like a great dog in the stars, and because this group of stars contains the very bright star Sirius, the name today refers to that 'big dog' constellation in the southern sky.