Canes Venatici

noun

Ca·​nes Ve·​nat·​i·​ci ˈkā-ˌnēz-və-ˈna-tə-ˌsī 

astronomy

: a northern constellation that is visible between the constellations of Boötes and Ursa Major and that is represented by the figures of dogs

Note: The dogs of Canes Venatici are usually pictured as being held on a leash by the figure of Boötes the Herdsman, the figure associated with the constellation Boötes.

About 640,000 light-years from Earth in the direction of the constellation Canes Venatici, the galaxy is one of the most remote Milky Way satellites ever found.

—Ron Cowen, Science News, 1 July 2006

Word History

First Known Use

1728, in the meaning defined above

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

• More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
• Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
• Advanced search features
• Ad free!