| big dipper | (n) a group of seven bright stars in the constellation Ursa Major, Syn. Wagon, Wain, Charles's Wain, Plough, Dipper |
| Charles's Wain | [ Charles + wain; cf. AS. Carles w&aemacr_;n (for wægn), Sw. karlvagnen, Dan. karlsvogn. See Churl, and Wain. ] (Astron.) The group of seven stars, commonly called the Big Dipper, in the constellation Ursa Major, or Great Bear. See Ursa major, under Ursa. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ] ☞ The name is sometimes also applied to the Constellation. [ 1913 Webster ] |