Definition of: canary

(kə·nâr′ē) noun plural ·nar·ies
1. A small finch (Serinus canarius) originally native in the Canary Islands, having generally yellow plumage: popular as a cage bird for its song.
2. A bright yellow color: also canary yellow.
3. A sweet, white wine from the Canary Islands.
4. An old French dance in rapid time.
—v.i. To dance the canary. [<F canarie <Sp. canario <L Canaria (Insula) Dog (Island) < canis dog; so called from a breed of dogs found there]