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poles apart

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pole

2  [pohl]
–noun
1. each of the extremities of the axis of the earth or of any spherical body.
2. Astronomy. celestial pole.
3. one of two opposite or contrasted principles or tendencies: His behavior ranges between the poles of restraint and abandon.
4. a point of concentration of interest, attention, etc.: The beautiful actress was the pole of everyone's curiosity.
5. Electricity, Magnetism. either of the two regions or parts of an electric battery, magnet, or the like, that exhibits electrical or magnetic polarity.
6. Cell Biology.
a. either end of an ideal axis in a nucleus, cell, or ovum, about which parts are more or less symmetrically arranged.
b. either end of a spindle-shaped figure formed in a cell during mitosis.
c. the place at which a cell extension or process begins, as a nerve cell axon or a flagellum.
7. Mathematics.
a. a singular point at which a given function of a complex variable can be expanded in a Laurent series beginning with a specified finite, negative power of the variable.
b. origin (def. 6b).
8. Crystallography. a line perpendicular to a crystal face and passing through the crystal center.
—Idiom
9. poles apart or asunder, having widely divergent or completely opposite attitudes, interests, etc.: In education and background they were poles apart.
Use poles apart in a Sentence
Origin:
1350–1400; ME < L polus < Gk pólos pivot, axis, pole
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
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Word Origin & History

Pole  (3)
"inhabitant or native of Poland," 1656, from Ger. Pole, sing. of Polen, from Pol. Poljane, lit. "field-dwellers," from pole "field," from PIE base *pele- "flat, plain" (see plane (1)).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

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
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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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.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Science Dictionary
pole   (pōl)  Pronunciation Key 

  1. Mathematics

    1. Either of the points at which an axis that passes through the center of a sphere intersects the surface of the sphere.

    2. The fixed point used as a reference in a system of polar coordinates. It corresponds to the origin in the Cartesian coordinate system.

    3. Geography Either of the points at which the Earth's axis of rotation intersects the Earth's surface; the North Pole or South Pole.

    4. Either of the two similar points on another planet.

    5. Either of the two points at the extremities of the axis of an organ or body.

    6. Either end of the spindle formed in a cell during mitosis.

    1. Geography Either of the points at which the Earth's axis of rotation intersects the Earth's surface; the North Pole or South Pole.

    2. Either of the two similar points on another planet.

    3. Either of the two points at the extremities of the axis of an organ or body.

    4. Either end of the spindle formed in a cell during mitosis.

  3. Physics A magnetic pole.

  4. Electricity Either of two oppositely charged terminals, such as the two electrodes of an electrolytic cell or the electric terminals of a battery.

  5. Biology

    1. Either of the two points at the extremities of the axis of an organ or body.

    2. Either end of the spindle formed in a cell during mitosis.


The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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Idioms & Phrases

poles apart

In complete opposition, as in The two brothers were poles apart in nearly all their views. This expression alludes to the two extremities of the earth's axis, the North and South poles. [Early 1900s]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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