First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1pole
noun \ˈpōl\
Definition of POLE
1
a : a long slender usually cylindrical object (as a length of wood) b : a shaft which extends from the front axle of a wagon between wheelhorses and by which the wagon is drawn : tongue c : a long staff of wood, metal, or fiberglass used in the pole vault
2
: a varying unit of length; especially : one equal to a rod (161⁄2 feet or about 5 meters)
3
: a tree with a breast-high diameter of from 4 to 12 inches (10 to 30 centimeters)
4
: the inside front row position on the starting line for a race
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Origin of POLE
Middle English, from Old English pāl stake, pole, from Latin palus stake; akin to Latin pangere to fix — more at pact
2pole
verb
: to move (a boat) by using a pole to push against the bottom of a river, lake, etc.
poledpol·ing
Full Definition of POLE
transitive verb
1
: to act upon with a pole
2
: to impel or push with a pole
intransitive verb
1
: to propel a boat with a pole
2
: to use ski poles to gain speed
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First Known Use of POLE
1573
3pole
noun
Definition of POLE
1
: either extremity of an axis of a sphere and especially of the earth's axis
2
a : either of two related opposites b : a point of guidance or attraction
3
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
4
: either of two morphologically or physiologically differentiated areas at opposite ends of an axis in an organism or cell — see blastula illustration
5
a : the fixed point in a system of polar coordinates that serves as the origin b : the point of origin of two tangents to a conic section that determine a polar
— poles apart
: diametrically opposed
Origin of POLE
Middle English, from Latin polus, from Greek polos pivot, pole; akin to Greek pelesthai to become, Sanskrit carati he moves, wanders — more at wheel
First Known Use: 14th century
Other Cartography Terms
Pole
noun \ˈpōl\
Definition of POLE
1
: a native or inhabitant of Poland
2
: a person of Polish descent
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Origin of POLE
German, of Slavic origin; akin to Polish Polak Pole, Polska Poland, pole field
First Known Use: 1535
Pole
biographical name \ˈpōl, ˈpül\
Definition of POLE
Reginald 1500–1558 Eng. cardinal; archbishop of Canterbury (1556–58)
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POLE[1] Defined for Kids
1pole
noun \ˈpōl\
Definition of POLE for Kids
: a long straight thin piece of material (as wood or metal)
2pole
noun
Definition of POLE for Kids
1
: either end of the imaginary line on which the earth or another planet turns
2
: either of the two ends of a magnet
Pole
noun \ˈpōl\
Definition of POLE for Kids
: a person born or living in Poland
Medical Dictionary
pole
noun \ˈpōl\
Medical Definition of POLE
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 differentiated areas at opposite ends of an axis in an organism, organ, or cell—see animal pole, vegetal pole
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