Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.
Dipper en · PROPN · etymology 1
Meanings
Either the Big Dipper or the Little Dipper (in the singular, chiefly the Big Dipper).
In the Big Dipper, or Ursa Major, there are two stars which form the side of the dipper farthest from the handle. The line of these two [...] will strike the Pole Star. [...] A convenient sort of celestial yardstick is the distance from the first pointer of the Dipper to the Pole Star, which is about 28°. 1912, Carroll Davidson Wright, The New Century Book of Facts: A Handbook of Ready Reference ..., page 599:
You can see the Big Dipper and the Little Dipper almost every night. You can see the Dippers every night if the clouds do not cover them. The Dippers seem to move. They are not always in the same place. You see the Dippers in one place […] 1959, Grade 2. Singer science all the year:
It's always a challenge in the city, but sometimes I can spot the Dippers. On camping trips Drew used to show me constellations but I've forgotten most of them. She pointed out the North Star at the end of the Little Dipper's handle […] 2005, Cordelia Strube, Lemon, Coach House Books, →ISBN, page 146:
Use the Dipper as home base. Follow the two end stars of its bowl to point downward (in the spring) or upward (in the fall) to Polaris, the North Star. 2003, Bob Berman, Strange Universe: The Weird and Wild Science of Everyday Life – on Earth and Beyond, New York: Times Books, →ISBN, page 152:
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Dippers
Number=Plur
lexicographic
Dipper en · PROPN · etymology 2
Etymology
A translation of the Mandarin Chinese 斗宿 (Dǒuxiù).
Meanings
A Chinese constellation located near Sagittarius, one of the 28 lunar mansions and part of the larger Black Turtle.
Dipper en · ADJ · etymology 3
Etymology
From NDPer (NDP + -er).
Meanings
(Canadian, attributive, informal) Of or pertaining to the Canadian New Democratic Party or supporters thereof.
It's either that or watch Dipper hopes of big overall seat gains dashed May 2 in Ontario. 2011 April 27, David Olive, “Historic Shift to NDP Confirmed in New Poll”, in Toronto Star, archived from the original on 28 Jun 2013:
(Canadian, informal) A member or supporter of the Canadian New Democratic Party.
This also (of course) comes on the heels of the four Conservative MPs who decided they didn’t like the direction and leadership of their party and drifted across the aisle. A Dipper joined them. 2026 April 14, Garth Turner, “Three, nothing”, in The Greater Fool, Toronto, archived from the original on 15 Apr 2026:
But the Dippers should hold their applause, since their party doesn't have the grassroots organization or the roster of good candidates it needs to capitalize on their leader's popularity. 2011 April 11, Lysiane Gagnon, “In Quebec, the NDP Is No. 2”, in The Globe and Mail, Toronto, archived from the original on 15 Apr 2011: