dog day

noun

1
a
dog days plural : the period between early July and early September when the hot sultry weather of summer usually occurs
b
: a day in dog days : a hot sultry day
2
dog days plural : a period marked by dull lack of progress
the dog days following any major upheaval

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from dog days, translation of Late Latin dies caniculares, translation of Greek hēmerai kynades; from their being reckoned in ancient times from the heliacal rising of the Dog Star (Sirius)

First Known Use

1538, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of dog day was in 1538

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Cite this Entry

“Dog day.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dog%20day. Accessed 7 Nov. 2024.

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