Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

pole 1       (pōl)  Pronunciation Key  n.   Either extremity of an axis through a sphere. Either of the regions contiguous to the extremities of the earth's rotational axis, the North Pole or the South Pole. Physics A magnetic pole. Electricity Either of two oppositely charged terminals, as in an electric cell or battery. Astronomy A celestial pole. Biology Either extremity of the main axis of a nucleus, cell, or organism. Either end of the spindle formed in a cell during mitosis. The point on a nerve cell where a process originates. Either of two antithetical ideas, propensities, forces, or positions: "the moral poles of modern medicine: on the one hand, a tinkering with procreation with at best ambiguous, at worst monstrous moral possibilities. On the other hand, scientific skill and cunning unambiguously in the service of hope" (Charles Krauthammer). A fixed point of reference. Mathematics The origin in a polar coordinate system; the vertex of a polar angle. [Middle English, from Old French, from Latin polus, from Greek polos, axis, sky; see kwel-1 in Indo-European roots.]

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pole 2       (pōl)  Pronunciation Key  n.   A long, relatively slender, generally rounded piece of wood or other material. The long tapering wooden shaft extending up from the front axle of a vehicle to the collars of the animals drawing it; a tongue. See rod. A unit of area equal to a square rod. Sports The inside position on the starting line of a racetrack: qualified in the time trials to start on the pole. v.   poled, pol·ing, poles v.   tr. To propel with a pole: boatmen poling barges up a placid river. To propel (oneself) or make (one's way) by the use of ski poles: "We ski through the glades on corn snow, then pole our way over a long one-hour runout to a road" (Frederick Selby). To support (plants) with a pole. To strike, poke, or stir with a pole. v.   intr. To propel a boat or raft with a pole. To use ski poles to maintain or gain speed. [Middle English, from Old English pāl, from Latin pālus, stake; see pag- in Indo-European roots.]

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Pole       (pōl)  Pronunciation Key  n.   A native or inhabitant of Poland. A person of Polish descent.

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Pole, Reginald 1500-1558.   English prelate. The last Roman Catholic archbishop of Canterbury (1556), he was a leading figure in the Counter Reformation.

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rod       (rŏd)  Pronunciation Key  n.   A thin straight piece or bar of material, such as metal or wood, often having a particular function or use, as: A fishing rod. A piston rod. An often expandable horizontal bar, especially of metal, used to suspend household items such as curtains or towels. A leveling rod. A lightning rod. A divining rod. A measuring stick. A stick or bundle of sticks or switches used to give punishment by whipping. Punishment; correction. A linear measure equal to 5.5 yards or 16.5 feet (5.03 meters). Also called pole2. The square of this measure, equal to 30.25 square yards or 272.25 square feet (25.30 square meters). See Table at measurement. A shoot or stem cut from or growing as part of a woody plant. A stick or bundle of sticks or switches used to give punishment by whipping. Punishment; correction. A linear measure equal to 5.5 yards or 16.5 feet (5.03 meters). Also called pole2. The square of this measure, equal to 30.25 square yards or 272.25 square feet (25.30 square meters). See Table at measurement. A scepter, staff, or wand symbolizing power or authority. Power or dominion, especially of a tyrannical nature: "under the rod of a cruel slavery" (John Henry Newman). Abbr. rd A linear measure equal to 5.5 yards or 16.5 feet (5.03 meters). Also called pole2. The square of this measure, equal to 30.25 square yards or 272.25 square feet (25.30 square meters). See Table at measurement. Bible A line of family descent; a branch of a tribe. Anatomy Any of various rod-shaped cells in the retina that respond to dim light. Microbiology An elongated bacterium; a bacillus. Slang A pistol or revolver. A portion of the undercarriage of a train, especially the drawbar under a freight car. Often used in the plural: ride the rods. [Middle English rodd, from Old English.]

Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
pole  (1)

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pole  (2)

Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
Pole  (3)

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

pole
noun
1.	a long (usually round) rod of wood or metal or plastic
2.	a native or inhabitant of Poland
3.	one of two divergent or mutually exclusive opinions; "they are at opposite poles"; "they are poles apart"
4.	a linear measure of 16.5 feet [syn: perch]
5.	a square rod of land [syn: perch]
6.	one of two points of intersection of the Earth's axis and the celestial sphere
7.	one of two antipodal points where the Earth's axis of rotation intersects the Earth's surface
8.	a contact on an electrical device (such as a battery) at which electric current enters or leaves [syn: terminal]
9.	a long fiberglass sports implement used for pole vaulting
10.	one of the two ends of a magnet where the magnetism seems to be concentrated
verb
1.	propel with a pole; "pole barges on the river"; "We went punting in Cambridge" [syn: punt]
2.	support on poles; "pole climbing plants like beans"
3.	deoxidize molten metals by stirring them with a wooden pole

American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms - Cite This Source - Share This

pole

see low man on the totem pole; not touch with a ten-foot pole.

The American Heritage Science Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

pole       (pōl)  Pronunciation Key  Mathematics Either of the points at which an axis that passes through the center of a sphere intersects the surface of the sphere. The fixed point used as a reference in a system of polar coordinates. It corresponds to the origin in the Cartesian coordinate system. Geography Either of the points at which the Earth's axis of rotation intersects the Earth's surface; the North Pole or South Pole. Either of the two similar points on another planet. Either of the two points at the extremities of the axis of an organ or body. Either end of the spindle formed in a cell during mitosis. Geography Either of the points at which the Earth's axis of rotation intersects the Earth's surface; the North Pole or South Pole. Either of the two similar points on another planet. Either of the two points at the extremities of the axis of an organ or body. Either end of the spindle formed in a cell during mitosis. Physics A magnetic pole. Electricity Either of two oppositely charged terminals, such as the two electrodes of an electrolytic cell or the electric terminals of a battery. Biology Either of the two points at the extremities of the axis of an organ or body. Either end of the spindle formed in a cell during mitosis.

American Heritage Stedman's Medical Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

pole (pōl)
n.

1. Either of the two points at the extremities of the axis of an organ or body.
2. Either extremity of an axis through a sphere.
3. Either of two oppositely charged terminals, as in an electric cell.

Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
Main Entry: pole
Pronunciation: 'pOl
Function: noun
1 a : either of the two terminals of an electric cell, battery, generator, or motor b : one of two or more regions in a magnetized body at which the magnetic flux density is concentrated
2 : either of two morphologically or physiologically differentiatedareas at opposite ends of an axis in an organism, organ, or cell —see ANIMAL POLE, VEGETAL POLE

U.S. Gazetteer - Cite This Source - Share This

Pole Ojea, PR (comunidad, FIPS 63697) Location: 17.97890 N, 67.18474 W
Population (1990): 1539 (611 housing units)
Area: 1.4 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)

North Pole, AK (city, FIPS 55910) Location: 64.75320 N, 147.35595 W
Population (1990): 1456 (652 housing units)
Area: 10.7 sq km (land), 0.1 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 99705

North Pole, CO Zip code(s): 80809

North Pole, NY Zip code(s): 12946

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Pole

Pawl\, n. [W. pawl a pole, a stake. Cf. Pole a stake.] (Mach.) A pivoted tongue, or sliding bolt, on one part of a machine, adapted to fall into notches, or interdental spaces, on another part, as a ratchet wheel, in such a manner as to permit motion in one direction and prevent it in the reverse, as in a windlass; a catch, click, or detent. See Illust. of Ratchet Wheel. [Written also paul, or pall.]

Pawl bitt (Naut.), a heavy timber, set abaft the windlass, to receive the strain of the pawls.

Pawl rim or ring (Naut.), a stationary metallic ring surrounding the base of a capstan, having notches for the pawls to catch in.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Pole

Po"lar\, a. [Cf. F. polaire. See Pole of the earth.]

1. Of or pertaining to one of the poles of the earth, or of a sphere; situated near, or proceeding from, one of the poles; as, polar regions; polar seas; polar winds.

2. Of or pertaining to the magnetic pole, or to the point to which the magnetic needle is directed.

3. (Geom.) Pertaining to, reckoned from, or having a common radiating point; as, polar co["o]rdinates.

Polar axis, that axis of an astronomical instrument, as an equatorial, which is parallel to the earths axis.

Polar bear (Zo["o]l.), a large bear (Ursus, or Thalarctos, maritimus) inhabiting the arctic regions. It sometimes measures nearly nine feet in length and weighs 1,600 pounds. It is partially amphibious, very powerful, and the most carnivorous of all the bears. The fur is white, tinged with yellow. Called also White bear. See Bear.

Polar body, cell, or globule (Biol.), a minute cell which separates by karyokinesis from the ovum during its maturation. In the maturation of ordinary ova two polar bodies are formed, but in parthogenetic ova only one. The first polar body formed is usually larger than the second one, and often divides into two after its separation from the ovum. Each of the polar bodies removes maternal chromatin from the ovum to make room for the chromatin of the fertilizing spermatozo["o]n; but their functions are not fully understood.

Polar circles (Astron. & Geog.), two circles, each at a distance from a pole of the earth equal to the obliquity of the ecliptic, or about 23[deg] 28', the northern called the arctic circle, and the southern the antarctic circle.

Polar clock, a tube, containing a polarizing apparatus, turning on an axis parallel to that of the earth, and indicating the hour of the day on an hour circle, by being turned toward the plane of maximum polarization of the light of the sky, which is always 90[deg] from the sun.

Polar co["o]rdinates. See under 3d Co["o]rdinate.

Polar dial, a dial whose plane is parallel to a great circle passing through the poles of the earth. --Math. Dict.

Polar distance, the angular distance of any point on a sphere from one of its poles, particularly of a heavenly body from the north pole of the heavens.

Polar equation of a line or surface, an equation which expresses the relation between the polar co["o]rdinates of every point of the line or surface.

Polar forces (Physics), forces that are developed and act in pairs, with opposite tendencies or properties in the two elements, as magnetism, electricity, etc.

Polar hare (Zo["o]l.), a large hare of Arctic America (Lepus arcticus), which turns pure white in winter. It is probably a variety of the common European hare (L. timidus).

Polar lights, the aurora borealis or australis.

Polar, or Polaric, opposition or contrast (Logic), an opposition or contrast made by the existence of two opposite conceptions which are the extremes in a species, as white and black in colors; hence, as great an opposition or contrast as possible.

Polar projection. See under Projection.

Polar spherical triangle (Spherics), a spherical triangle whose three angular points are poles of the sides of a given triangle. See 4th Pole, 2.

Polar whale (Zo["o]l.), the right whale, or bowhead. See Whale.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Pole

Po"lar\, a. [Cf. F. polaire. See Pole of the earth.]

1. Of or pertaining to one of the poles of the earth, or of a sphere; situated near, or proceeding from, one of the poles; as, polar regions; polar seas; polar winds.

2. Of or pertaining to the magnetic pole, or to the point to which the magnetic needle is directed.

3. (Geom.) Pertaining to, reckoned from, or having a common radiating point; as, polar co["o]rdinates.

Polar axis, that axis of an astronomical instrument, as an equatorial, which is parallel to the earths axis.

Polar bear (Zo["o]l.), a large bear (Ursus, or Thalarctos, maritimus) inhabiting the arctic regions. It sometimes measures nearly nine feet in length and weighs 1,600 pounds. It is partially amphibious, very powerful, and the most carnivorous of all the bears. The fur is white, tinged with yellow. Called also White bear. See Bear.

Polar body, cell, or globule (Biol.), a minute cell which separates by karyokinesis from the ovum during its maturation. In the maturation of ordinary ova two polar bodies are formed, but in parthogenetic ova only one. The first polar body formed is usually larger than the second one, and often divides into two after its separation from the ovum. Each of the polar bodies removes maternal chromatin from the ovum to make room for the chromatin of the fertilizing spermatozo["o]n; but their functions are not fully understood.

Polar circles (Astron. & Geog.), two circles, each at a distance from a pole of the earth equal to the obliquity of the ecliptic, or about 23[deg] 28', the northern called the arctic circle, and the southern the antarctic circle.

Polar clock, a tube, containing a polarizing apparatus, turning on an axis parallel to that of the earth, and indicating the hour of the day on an hour circle, by being turned toward the plane of maximum polarization of the light of the sky, which is always 90[deg] from the sun.

Polar co["o]rdinates. See under 3d Co["o]rdinate.

Polar dial, a dial whose plane is parallel to a great circle passing through the poles of the earth. --Math. Dict.

Polar distance, the angular distance of any point on a sphere from one of its poles, particularly of a heavenly body from the north pole of the heavens.

Polar equation of a line or surface, an equation which expresses the relation between the polar co["o]rdinates of every point of the line or surface.

Polar forces (Physics), forces that are developed and act in pairs, with opposite tendencies or properties in the two elements, as magnetism, electricity, etc.

Polar hare (Zo["o]l.), a large hare of Arctic America (Lepus arcticus), which turns pure white in winter. It is probably a variety of the common European hare (L. timidus).

Polar lights, the aurora borealis or australis.

Polar, or Polaric, opposition or contrast (Logic), an opposition or contrast made by the existence of two opposite conceptions which are the extremes in a species, as white and black in colors; hence, as great an opposition or contrast as possible.

Polar projection. See under Projection.

Polar spherical triangle (Spherics), a spherical triangle whose three angular points are poles of the sides of a given triangle. See 4th Pole, 2.

Polar whale (Zo["o]l.), the right whale, or bowhead. See Whale.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Pole

Pole\, n. [Cf. G. Pole a Pole, Polen Poland.] A native or inhabitant of Poland; a Polander.

Acronym Finder - Cite This Source - Share This

POLE

POLE: in Acronym Finder

On-line Medical Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

pole

pole: in CancerWEB's On-line Medical Dictionary