Charles's Wain

[chahrl-ziz weyn]

noun

British Astronomy.

1. Big Dipper.

Charles's Wain

/ weɪn /

noun

1. another name for the Plough

Word History and Origins

Origin of Charles's Wain¹

before 1000; Old English Carles wægn Carl's wagon ( Carl for Charlemagne); wain

Word History and Origins

Origin of Charles's Wain¹

Old English Carles wægn, from Carl _Charlemagne + wægn _wain

Example Sentences

Septentriō′nes, the constellation of the Great Bear, or the seven stars near the north pole-star, called Charles's Wain.

From Project Gutenberg

Pointing to Charles’s wain I said, “A good star for travellers.”

From Project Gutenberg

The Great Bear, showing the position of Charles's Wain, and also the small binary star ξ in the hind foot, whose period has been determined.

From Project Gutenberg

Now, although most people know Charles's Wain when they see it, we may still learn a good deal about it.

From Project Gutenberg

The Pole-star is really the front horse of a small imitation of Charles's Wain, which, however, has never been called by any special name, but only part of the "Little Bear."

From Project Gutenberg