Charles's Wain

  • 1Charles's Wain — [Charles + wain; cf. AS. Carles w[=ae]n (for w[ae]gn), 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} …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 2Charles's Wain — O.E. Carles wægn, a star group associated in medieval times with Charlemagne, but originally with the nearby bright star ARCTURUS (Cf. Arcturus), which is linked by folk etymology to L. Arturus Arthur. Which places the seven star asterism at the… …

    Etymology dictionary

  • 3Charles's Wain — n. Brit. BIG DIPPER …

    English World dictionary

  • 4Charles's Wain — Dipper Dip per, n. 1. One who, or that which, dips; especially, a vessel used to dip water or other liquid; a ladle. [1913 Webster] 2. (Zo[ o]l.) (a) A small grebe; the dabchick. (b) The buffel duck. (c) The water ouzel ({Cinolus aquaticus}) of… …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 5Charles's Wain — n. the constellation Ursa Major or its seven bright stars. Also called PLOUGH. Etymology: OE Carles waeliggn the wain of Carl (Charles the Great, Charlemagne), perh. by assoc. of the star Arcturus with legends of King Arthur and Charlemagne …

    Useful english dictionary

  • 6Charles's Wain — /chahrl ziz wayn /, Brit. See Big Dipper. [bef. 1000; OE Carles waegn Carl s wagon (Carl for Charlemagne); see WAIN] * * * …

    Universalium

  • 7charles's wain — The Great Bear, Ursa Major, The Wain, The Cleaver, The Dipper …

    New dictionary of synonyms

  • 8Charles's Wain — [[t]ˈtʃɑrl zɪz ˈweɪn[/t]] n. astron. Big Dipper • Etymology: bef. 1000; OE Carles wægn Carl s wagon (Carl for Charlemagne); see wain …

    From formal English to slang

  • 9Charles's Wain — /tʃalzəz ˈweɪn/ (say chahlzuhz wayn) noun → Plough. {Middle English, Old English Carles waegn, from Carl Charlemagne + waegn wain (wagon) …

  • 10Charles's Wain — noun Etymology: Charlemagne Date: before 12th century Big Dipper …

    New Collegiate Dictionary