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.