Charles' Wain

English Big Dipper thumb|Charles' Wain Alternative forms en Charles's Wain Etymology From en enm Charlewayn, from en ang carles wǣn, apparently from a common en gem-pro *karlas wagnaz (cognate with forms in other Germanic languages, e.g. sv Karlavagnen). It seems that this common Germanic name originally meant the ‘peasant's wagon’ (the churls' wagon) in contrast to the ‘woman's wagon’ (Ursa Minor). Later it was interpreted as ‘Charles's wagon’ and associated with Charlemagne. Proper noun Charles' Wain en constellation A bright circumpolar asterism of the northern sky, said to resemble a wagon or cart. It is part of the constellation Ursa Major and includes the seven stars Dubhe, Merak, Phecda, Megrez, Alioth, Mizar, and Alkaid. en Big Dipper Drinking Gourd obsolete USA Northern Ladle Asia Northern Waggoner obsolete Plough Britain Wain obsolete Britain ii 1 Charles waine is ouer the new Chimney, and yet our horse not packt. vi Charles's Wain was getting towards a right angle with the Pole star, and Gabriel concluded that it must be about nine o'clock. en 1920 w:H.P. Lovecraft s:Polaris Down from the heights reels the glittering Cassiopeia as the hours wear on, while Charles’ Wain lumbers up from behind the vapour-soaked swamp trees that sway in the night-wind. Translations bright circumpolar asterism of the northern sky Big Dipper See also en septentrion en Ursa Major en Ursa Minor en eponyms en Asterisms