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Big Dipper

noun

, Astronomy.
  1. the group of seven bright stars in Ursa Major resembling a dipper in outline.


big dipper

1

noun

  1. (in amusement parks) a narrow railway with open carriages that run swiftly over a route of sharp curves and steep inclines Also calledroller coaster


Big Dipper

2

noun

  1. the US and Canadian name for Plough

Big Dipper

  1. An asterism composed of seven stars in the constellation Ursa Major. Four stars form the bowl and three form the handle in the outline of a dipper.


Big Dipper

  1. A constellation in the northern sky. The two stars on the far end of the bowl of the dipper point toward the North Star . The Big Dipper is part of the constellation Ursa Major (the Great Bear).


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Word History and Origins

Origin of Big Dipper1

First recorded in 1865–70

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Example Sentences

Guided by the Big Dipper, he moved directly toward the place where Jill should be waiting for him.

The Big Dipper swings on such a wide circle that sometimes it drops into the hills or into mist.

A good many folks have hurrahed over you and worshipped you—some of 'em, I guess likely, have envied you; but, by the big dipper!

Then water was taken from the large vessel and thrown over the stones with a big dipper.

Some day or other we'll stumble into fifty or a hundred dollars, but by the Big Dipper we'll get it scouting.

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