from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Pole \Pole\, n. [L. polus, Gr. ? a pivot or hinge on which
anything turns, an axis, a pole; akin to ? to move: cf. F.
p[^o]le.]
1. Either extremity of an axis of a sphere; especially, one
of the extremities of the earth's axis; as, the north
pole.
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2. (Spherics) A point upon the surface of a sphere equally
distant from every part of the circumference of a great
circle; or the point in which a diameter of the sphere
perpendicular to the plane of such circle meets the
surface. Such a point is called the pole of that circle;
as, the pole of the horizon; the pole of the ecliptic; the
pole of a given meridian.
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3. (Physics) One of the opposite or contrasted parts or
directions in which a polar force is manifested; a point
of maximum intensity of a force which has two such points,
or which has polarity; as, the poles of a magnet; the
north pole of a needle.
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4. The firmament; the sky. [Poetic]
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Shoots against the dusky pole. --Milton.
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5. (Geom.) See {Polarity}, and {Polar}, n.
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{Magnetic pole}. See under {Magnetic}.
{Poles of the earth}, or {Terrestrial poles} (Geog.), the two
opposite points on the earth's surface through which its
axis passes.
{Poles of the heavens}, or {Celestial poles}, the two
opposite points in the celestial sphere which coincide
with the earth's axis produced, and about which the
heavens appear to revolve.
[1913 Webster] Poleax