ca·nic·u·lar \kəˈnikyələ(r)\adjective Etymology: Middle English, from Late Latin canicularis, from canicula Sirius, literally, small bitch, diminutive of canis dog — more at hound 1.: immediately preceding and following the heliacal rising of the Dog Star < the days canicular — Edith Sitwell > 2.: of or relating to the dog days < the canicular heat of the Deep South >