Any member of Caninae, the only living subfamily of Canidae.
"The veterinarian examined the canine's teeth to ensure it was a healthy adult dog from the Canidae family."
In plain English: A canine is another word for a dog.
"The playful canine chased its tail around the living room."
of or relating to or characteristic of members of the family Canidae
"The veterinarian examined the canine teeth and noted their sharp, pointed shape typical of predators in the dog family."
Of, or pertaining to, a dog or dogs.
"The canine pack tracked their prey through the dense forest until dawn."
In plain English: Canine means something that relates to dogs, such as having teeth shaped for biting and tearing meat.
"The dog chased its favorite canine toy across the yard."
Usage: Use canine as an adjective primarily in formal contexts when referring to teeth; for general references to dogs themselves, prefer adjectives like "dog" or specific breeds rather than this technical term. Avoid using it casually to describe any animal with sharp teeth unless the context is strictly biological or veterinary.
The word canine comes from the Latin caninus, which originally meant "of dogs" or "doglike." It entered English through this direct lineage from the Latin root for dog itself.