canine /ˈkeɪnaɪn/adjective 4noun 4forms 1 adjective4 •Of, or pertaining to, a dog or dogs.Two canine animals in a time of dearth, may be truly said to struggle with each other which shall get food and live. — 1859 •Of or pertaining to mammalian teeth which are cuspids or fangs.Then his upper lip may be seen to be raised, especially at the corners, so that his huge canine teeth are exhibited. — 1872 •Dog-like.In many respects she made me an admirable wife. Her affection for me was canine—positively. — 1891 •(no longer used) Of an appetite: depraved or inordinate; used to describe eating disorders. noun4 •Any member of Caninae, the only living subfamily of Canidae. •(formal) Any of certain extant canids regarded as similar to the dog or wolf (including coyotes, jackals, etc.) but distinguished from the vulpines, which are regarded as fox-like.The canine ran across the room to the open window, put his front paws on the sill and pointed his nose at the sidewalk below. — 2010 •Synonym of cuspid, the pointed tooth between the incisors and premolars in heterodont mammals.He tried to push Kissu into his cage, but the cougar charged back out and sank his canines into Wilson's rump. — 2006 •(slang) A king and a nine as a starting hand in Texas hold 'em due to phonetic similarity.You have been dealt King-9 unsuited ("canine") in your pocket. — 2005 formscanines
