| 释义 |
ˈdog-star
[after the Gr. and L. names κύων, canicula (canis).]
1. The star Sirius, in the constellation of the Greater Dog, the brightest of the fixed stars. Also applied to Procyon (the Lesser Dog-star), a star of the first magnitude in the Lesser Dog.
The ‘influence’ of these, or of one of them, when rising nearly with the sun, was anciently supposed to cause excessive heat and other pernicious effects; see dog-days.
1579E. K. Gloss. Spenser's Sheph. Cal. July 21 The Dogge starre, which is called Syrius, or Canicula reigneth. 1692Prior Ode Horace iii. ii. 26 Beneath the dog-star's raging heat. 1712Budgell Spect. No. 425 ⁋3 The Dog-star levelled his Rays full at his Head. 1842Penny Cycl. XXII. 62 s.v. Sirius, In the Mediterranean latitudes, and in antient times, it was observed that the unhealthy and oppressive period coincided with the heliacal rising of the dog-star. We say the dog-star, without specifying whether it was Sirius or Procyon; it is uncertain which it was.
attrib.1654Vilvain Epit. Ess. v. 50 Three Dog-star Suns in Sky somtimes are seen. 1843Macaulay Lays Anc. Rome, Virginia 123 No fire when Tiber freezes, no air in dog-star heat.
†2. Humorously applied to a comet. Obs.
1712Swift Wond. Prophecy Wks. 1755 III. i. 173 Lo! the comet appeareth!.. Think not that this baleful dog-star only shaketh his tail at you in waggery. |