canine
Adjective:
- Relating to dogs or the dog family (Canidae): Describes characteristics, qualities, or things pertaining to dogs or related animals like wolves and foxes.
- Resembling or characteristic of a dog: Having features or traits typical of a dog.
Noun:
- A dog or a related animal: Any member of the biological family Canidae, which includes domestic dogs, wolves, foxes, and jackals.
- A pointed tooth: One of the four sharp, pointed teeth in the human mouth (or the mouth of certain other mammals) located next to the incisors; also called a canine tooth or cuspid.
Adjective:
- The veterinarian specializes in canine health and behavior.
- She has a deep understanding of canine psychology.
Noun (Animal):
- Wolves and domestic dogs are both canines.
- The wild canine was spotted near the forest edge.
Noun (Tooth):
- The dentist said my canine is slightly chipped.
- In humans, the canines are used for tearing food.
"Canine unit": A police or military team that uses trained dogs.
- The canine unit was deployed to search for the missing person.
"Canine distemper": A serious viral disease affecting dogs and other animals.
- Puppies should be vaccinated against canine distemper.
Canine tooth (n): The full term for the pointed tooth. Often used interchangeably with "canine."
- His canine tooth was more prominent than the others.
Canid (n): A more scientific term for any member of the family Canidae.
- The gray wolf is a common canid in North America.
- Adjective (dog-related): Doglike, doggy.
- Noun (animal): Dog, pooch (informal for domestic dog).
- Noun (tooth): Cuspid, eyetooth (specifically for the upper canines).
Canine companion: A formal or affectionate term for a pet dog.
- His loyal canine companion followed him everywhere.
Canine behavior: The study or observation of how dogs act.
- The book provides great insight into canine behavior.
(Note: There are few common idioms using the word "canine" itself. Idioms more commonly use the word "dog.") - "In the doghouse": In trouble or disfavored. (This idiom uses "dog," not "canine," but is thematically related.) - He forgot their anniversary and is in the doghouse with his wife.
- of or relating to or characteristic of members of the family Canidae
- of or relating to a pointed conical tooth
- any of various fissiped mammals with nonretractile claws and typically long muzzles
- one of the four pointed conical teeth (two in each jaw) located between the incisors and the premolars