Canis

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

Canis
    n 1: type genus of the Canidae: domestic and wild dogs; wolves;
         jackals [syn: {Canis}, {genus Canis}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Canis \Ca"nis\ (k[a^]"n[i^]s), n.; pl. {Canes} (-n[=e]z). [L., a
   dog.] (Zool.)
   A genus of carnivorous mammals, of the family {Canid[ae]},
   including the dogs and wolves.
   [1913 Webster]

   {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.
      [1913 Webster]