English

Alternative forms

• Charles's Wain

Proper noun

Charles' Wain

1. (astronomy) 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.
   • 1597 — William Shakespeare, 1 Henry IV ii 1

     Charles waine is ouer the new Chimney, and yet our horse not packt.

   • 1874 — Thomas Hardy, Far from the Madding Crowd ch. 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.

   • 1920 — H.P. Lovecraft, 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.

Synonyms

• the Big Dipper (US)
• the Plough
• the Wain

Translations

See also

• septentrion
• Ursa Major
• Ursa Minor