dog-days

n. (pl.) supposedly the hottest period of theyear in the northern hemisphere,about July 3 to Au-gust 15,when the Dog-star（天狼星） rises nearly at thesame time as the sun（据认为是北半球一年当中最热的）伏天(约从7月3日到8月15日)。
△H.VIII.5.4.41(5.3.39):“There is a fellow somewhat near the door,he shouldbe a brazier by his face,for. o’ (= on) my con-science,twenty of the dog-days now reign in ’s(=his) nose；”离门口不远有一个家伙，看他那脸该是个炼铜匠，因为，凭良心说，二十个伏天的热气现在都正聚在他的鼻子上呢。