Little Dipper

noun

, Astronomy.

1. the group of seven bright stars in Ursa Minor resembling a dipper in outline.

Little Dipper

noun

1. the Little Dipper
   a small faint constellation, the brightest star of which is the Pole Star, lying 1° from the true celestial pole Also known asUrsa Minorthe Bearthe Little Bear

Little Dipper

/ lĭt′l /

1. An asterism composed of seven stars in the constellation Ursa Minor that form the outline of a dipper.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Little Dipper¹

First recorded in 1835–45

Example Sentences

We had a cunning little dipper we could send down into the pan on a length of picture wire.

From Literature

Then I walk my audience through how they can find the North Star by first finding the Big Dipper inside Ursa Major and following the imaginary line between the two stars in the cup to reach Polaris at the tip of the ladle on the Little Dipper.

From Literature

You can use the Big Dipper to find Polaris, the North Star, which, by the way, is the tail end of the handle of the Little Dipper.

From Literature

On Saturday, the night of the new moon and thus the darkest skies, the comet came close to Draco — the dragon-shaped constellation that runs between the Big Dipper and the Little Dipper.

From New York Times

“On the nights of Jan. 26 and Jan. 27, it can be conveniently found passing several degrees to the east of the bowl of the Little Dipper,” writes Space.com.

From Washington Post