Definition

Noun 1. The hot period between early July and early September; a period of inactivity: This term refers specifically to the hottest, most sultry period of summer in the Northern Hemisphere, traditionally associated with the rising of the star Sirius (the "Dog Star"). It is often used to imply a time of lethargy or reduced activity due to the intense heat.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The city was quiet during the canicular days, with many residents escaping to the coast.
  • Business slows to a crawl in the canicular days of August.
  • He spent the canicular days lounging in the shade with a book.

Advanced Usage

• "the canicular days": The definite article "the" is almost always used with this term, as it refers to a specific, recognized period of the year.
  • One must learn to endure the canicular days with patience.

Variants and Related Words

• Canicular (adj): Of or relating to the dog days or the star Sirius.
  • The canicular heat was oppressive.
• Dog days (n): A more common synonym for "canicular days."
  • The dog days of summer are here.

Synonyms

• Dog days: The most direct and commonly used synonym.
• Midsummer: Refers to the middle of summer, often overlapping with the canicular period.
• The height of summer: A descriptive phrase for the hottest part of the season.

Related Idioms

• The dog days of summer: This is the standard idiomatic expression equivalent to "canicular days."
  • Nothing gets done in this office during the dog days of summer.

Noun

1. the hot period between early July and early September; a period of inactivity