canine

views updated May 14 2018

ca·nine / ˈkāˌnīn/ • adj. of, relating to, or resembling a dog or dogs: canine distemper virus. ∎ Zool. of or relating to animals of the dog family.• n. 1. a dog. ∎  Zool. another term for canid.2. (also canine tooth) a pointed tooth between the incisors and premolars of a mammal, often greatly enlarged in carnivores.

canine

views updated May 29 2018

canine
1. Pertaining to a dog.

2. A conical, pointed tooth situated between the incisors and premolars, particularly well developed in carnivorous mammals which use their canine teeth to seize prey. In some mammals the canines are enlarged to form tusks, in others they are reduced or absent.

canine

views updated May 29 2018

canine
1. Pertaining to a dog.

2. A conical, pointed tooth situated between the incisors and premolars, particularly well developed in carnivorous mammals which use their canine teeth to seize prey. In some mammals the canines are enlarged to form tusks, in others they are reduced or absent.

canine

views updated May 21 2018

canine XVII. — F. canin, -ine, or L. canīnus, -īna, f. canis dog, HOUND; see -INE 1.

canine

views updated Jun 08 2018

canine (kay-nyn) n. the third tooth from the midline of each jaw. There are thus four canines, two in each jaw. It is known colloquially as the eye tooth.