| 1. | A period of from four to six weeks, in the summer, variously placed by almanac makers between the early part of July and the early part of September; canicular days; - so called in reference to the rising in ancient times of the Dog Star (Sirius) with the sun. Popularly, the sultry, close part of the summer; metaphorically, a period of inactivity. |
| Noun | 1. | dog days - the hot period between early July and early September; a period of inactivity Synonyms: canicular days, canicule |