Charles's Wainとは 意味・読み方・使い方

別の表記

• Charles's Wain

語源

From 古期英語 carles wǣn, apparently from a common Proto-Germanic *karlas wagnaz (cognate with forms in other Germanic languages). 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.

固有名詞

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.

同意語

• the Big Dipper (米国用法)
• the Plough
• the Wain

参考

• septentrion
• Ursa Major
• Ursa Minor