carles wæn

Old English

Etymology

From carles (“peasant's”) + wǣn (“wagon”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈkɑr.les wæːn/, [ˈkɑrˠ.les wæːn]

Noun

carles wǣn m

1. the Big Dipper; the Great Bear, Ursa Major
   • Carles wæn ne gæþ næfre adune under ðyssere eorþan, swa swa oðre tunglan doþ

     Carl’s Wain never goes under the earth as other constellations do

     (De Natura Rerum)

Descendants

• Middle English: Charlewayn
  • English: Charles' Wain