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. (Zool.) (a) A small grebe; the dabchick. (b) The buffel duck. (c) The water ouzel ({Cinolus aquaticus}) of Europe. (d) The American dipper or ouzel ({Cinclus Mexicanus}). [1913 Webster] {The Dipper} (Astron.), the seven principal stars in the constellation of the Great Bear; popularly so called from their arrangement in the form of a dipper; -- called also {Charles's Wain}. See {Ursa Major}, under {Ursa}. [1913 Webster]
Charles's Wain \Charles'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}, under {Ursa}. [1913 Webster +PJC] Note: The name is sometimes also applied to the Constellation. [1913 Webster]