Definition

1. Noun:
   • A small diving bird: A small, stocky bird that dives into fast-flowing streams to feed along the bottom. It does not have webbed feet.
   • A type of duck: A small North American diving duck, notable for the male's bushy head plumage.
   • A constellation: A group of seven bright stars forming a recognizable pattern in the sky.

     • Specifically, the Big Dipper is the asterism within the constellation Ursa Major.
     • The Little Dipper is the asterism within the constellation Ursa Minor; Polaris (the North Star) is at the end of its handle.
   • A ladle: A cup-shaped vessel with a long handle, used for lifting liquid.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Bird):
  • We spotted an American dipper bobbing on a rock in the river.
  • The dipper is unique because it can walk underwater to find insects.
• Noun (Duck):
  • A flock of buffleheads, also known as dippers, landed on the lake.
• Noun (Constellation):
  • On a clear night, you can easily find the Big Dipper.
  • Polaris is part of the Little Dipper.
• Noun (Ladle):
  • She used a dipper to serve soup from the large pot.

Advanced Usage

• "The [Big/Little] Dipper": These are proper nouns referring to the specific, well-known asterisms. The word "dipper" in these names refers to their resemblance to a ladle (dipper).
  • The Big Dipper is often used to locate the North Star.

Variants and Related Words

• Dip (verb): To plunge briefly into a liquid. This is the root action from which "dipper" is derived, describing something that dips (the bird) or is used for dipping (the ladle).
• Dipperful (noun): The amount a dipper (ladle) can hold.
  • He added a dipperful of water to the mixture.

Synonyms

• Ladle: For the utensil.
• Water ouzel: An alternative name for the dipper bird.
• Asterism: For the star pattern (e.g., the Big Dipper is an asterism).

Related Phrases

• To be a dipper: (Informal, archaic) Can refer to being a pickpocket. This is a separate, slang usage derived from the verb "to dip" (into a pocket).
  • The police warned of dippers operating in the crowded market. (Note: This is an idiomatic/phrasal use not directly related to the main definitions above).

Noun

1. small stocky diving bird without webbed feet; frequents fast-flowing streams and feeds along the bottom
2. small North American diving duck; males have bushy head plumage
3. a group of seven bright stars in the constellation Ursa Major
4. a cluster of seven stars in Ursa Minor; at the end of the dipper's handle is Polaris
5. a ladle that has a cup with a long handle