Chapter 1175

Po"lar (?) , n. (Conic Sections) The right line drawn through the two points of contact of the two tangents drawn from a given point to a given conic section. The given point is called the pole of the line. If the given point lies within the curve so that the two tangents become imaginary, there is still a real polar line which does not meet the curve, but which possesses other properties of the polar. Thus the focus and directrix are pole and polar. There are also poles and polar curves to curves of higher degree than the second, and poles and polar planes to surfaces of the second degree.

Polarchy <Xpage=107>

Pol"ar*chy (?) , n. See Polyarchy .

Polaric <Xpage=107>

Po*lar"ic (?) , a. See Polar . [R.]

Polarily <Xpage=107>

Po"lar*i*ly (?) , adv. In a polary manner; with polarity. [R.]

Sir T. Browne.

Polarimeter <Xpage=107>

Po`lar*im"e*ter (?) , n. [ Polar + -meter .] (Opt.) An instrument for determining the amount of polarization of light, or the proportion of polarized light, in a partially polarized ray.

Polarimetry <Xpage=107>

Po`lar*im"e*try (?) , n. (Opt.) The art or process of measuring the polarization of light.

Polaris <Xpage=107>

Po*la"ris (?) , n. [NL. See Polar .] (Astron.) The polestar. See North star , under North .

Polariscope <Xpage=107>

Po*lar"i*scope (?) , n. [ Polar + -scope .] (Opt.) An instrument consisting essentially of a polarizer and an analyzer, used for polarizing light, and analyzing its properties.

Polariscopic <Xpage=107>

Po*lar`i*scop"ic (?) , a. (Opt.) Of or pertaining to the polariscope; obtained by the use of a polariscope; as, polariscopic observations .

Polariscopy <Xpage=107>

Po`lar*is"co*py (?) , n. (Opt.) The art or rocess of making observations with the polariscope.

Polaristic <Xpage=107>

Po`lar*is"tic (?) , a. Pertaining to, or exhibiting, poles; having a polar arrangement or disposition; arising from, or dependent upon, the possession of poles or polar characteristics; as, polaristic antagonism .

Polarity <Xpage=107>

Po*lar"i*ty (?) , n. [Cf. F. polarit\'82 .] 1. (Physics) That quality or condition of a body in virtue of which it exhibits opposite, or contrasted, properties or powers, in opposite, or contrasted, parts or directions; or a condition giving rise to a contrast of properties corresponding to a contrast of positions, as, for example, attraction and repulsion in the opposite parts of a magnet, the dissimilar phenomena corresponding to the different sides of a polarized ray of light, etc .

2. (Geom.) A property of the conic sections by virtue of which a given point determines a corresponding right line and a given right line determines a corresponding point. See Polar , n.

Polarizable <Xpage=107>

Po"lar*i`za*ble (?) , a. Susceptible of polarization.

Polarization <Xpage=107>

Po`lar*i*za"tion (?) , n. [Cf. F. polarisation .]

1. The act of polarizing; the state of being polarized, or of having polarity.

2. (Opt.) A peculiar affection or condition of the rays of light or heat, in consequence of which they exhibit different properties in different directions.

&hand; If a beam of light, which has been reflected from a plate of unsilvered glass at an angle of about 56\'f8, be received upon a second plate of glass similar to the former, and at the same angle of incidence, the light will be readily reflected when the two planes of incidence are parallel to each other, but will not be reflected when the two planes of incidence are perpendicular to each other. The light has, therefore, acquired new properties by reflection from the first plate of glass, and is called polarized light , while the modification which the light has experienced by this reflection is called polarization . The plane in which the beam of light is reflected from the first mirror is called the plane of polarization . The angle of polarization is the angle at which a beam of light must be reflected, in order that the polarization may be the most complete. The term polarization was derived from the theory of emission, and it was conceived that each luminous molecule has two poles analogous to the poles of a magnet; but this view is not now held. According to the undulatory theory, ordinary light is produced by vibrations transverse or perpendicular to the direction of the ray, and distributed as to show no distinction as to any particular direction. But when, by any means, these, vibrations are made to take place in one plane, the light is said to be plane polarized . If only a portion of the vibrations lie in one plane the ray is said to be partially polarized . Light may be polarized by several methods other than by reflection, as by refraction through most crystalline media, or by being transmitted obliquely through several plates of glass with parallel faces. If a beam of polarized light be transmitted through a crystal of quartz in the direction of its axis, the plane of polarization will be changed by an angle proportional to the thickness of the crystal. This phenomenon is called rotatory polarization . A beam of light reflected from a metallic surface, or from glass surfaces under certain peculiar conditions, acquires properties still more complex, its vibrations being no longer rectilinear, but circular, or elliptical. This phenomenon is called circular or elliptical polarization .

3. (Elec.) An effect produced upon the plates of a voltaic battery, or the electrodes in an electrolytic cell, by the deposition upon them of the gases liberated by the action of the current. It is chiefly due to the hydrogen, and results in an increase of the resistance, and the setting up of an opposing electro-motive force, both of which tend materially to weaken the current of the battery, or that passing through the cell.

Polarize <Xpage=107>

Po"lar*ize (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Polarized (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Polarizing (?) .] [Cf. F. polariser .] To communicate polarity to.

Polarizer <Xpage=107>

Po"lar*i`zer (?) , n. (Physics) That which polarizes; especially, the part of a polariscope which receives and polarizes the light. It is usually a reflecting plate, or a plate of some crystal, as tourmaline, or a doubly refracting crystal.

<-- Polaroid. [A trademark of the Polaroid company] 1. polarizing light; as, a polaroid lens. Used to refer to a smitransparent material which permits transmission of only plane-polarized light. 2. Relating to, or able to take, instant photographs; as, a polaroid camera; a polaroid photo. -->

Polary <Xpage=107>

Po"lar*y (?) , a. Tending to a pole; having a direction toward a pole. [R.]

Sir T. Browne.

Polatouche <Xpage=107>

Po`la`touche" (?) , n. [F.] (Zo\'94l.) A flying squirrel ( Sciuropterus volans ) native of Northern Europe and Siberia; -- called also minene .

Polder <Xpage=107>

Pol"der (?) , n. [D.] A tract of low land reclaimed from the sea by of high embankments. [Holland & Belgium]

Poldway <Xpage=107>

Pold"way` (?) , n. [Cf. Poledavy .] A kind of coarse bagging, -- used for coal sacks.

Weale.

Pole <Xpage=107>

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

Pole <Xpage=107>

Pole , n. [As. p\'bel , L. palus , akin to pangere to make fast. Cf. Pale a stake, Pact .] 1. A long, slender piece of wood; a tall, slender piece of timber; the stem of a small tree whose branches have been removed; as, specifically: (a) A carriage pole, a wooden bar extending from the front axle of a carriage between the wheel horses, by which the carriage is guided and held back . (b) A flag pole, a pole on which a flag is supported. (c) A Maypole. See Maypole . (d) A barber's pole, a pole painted in stripes, used as a sign by barbers and hairdressers. (e) A pole on which climbing beans, hops, or other vines, are trained.

2. A measuring stick; also, a measure of length equal to 5<?/ yards, or a square measure equal to 30<?/ square yards; a rod; a perch.

Bacon.

Pole bean (Bot.) , any kind of bean which is customarily trained on poles, as the scarlet runner or the Lima bean. -- Pole flounder (Zo\'94l.) , a large deep-water flounder ( Glyptocephalus cynoglossus ), native of the northern coasts of Europe and America, and much esteemed as a food fish; -- called also craig flounder , and pole fluke . -- Pole lathe , a simple form of lathe, or a substitute for a lathe, in which the work is turned by means of a cord passing around it, one end being fastened to the treadle, and the other to an elastic pole above. -- Pole mast (Naut.) , a mast formed from a single piece or from a single tree. -- Pole of a lens (Opt.) , the point where the principal axis meets the surface. -- Pole plate (Arch.) , a horizontal timber resting on the tiebeams of a roof and receiving the ends of the rafters. It differs from the plate in not resting on the wall.

Pole <Xpage=107>

Pole , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Poled (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Poling .] 1. To furnish with poles for support; as, to pole beans or hops .

2. To convey on poles; as, to pole hay into a barn .

3. To impel by a pole or poles, as a boat.

4. To stir, as molten glass, with a pole.

Pole <Xpage=107>

Pole , n. [L. polus , Gr. <?/ a pivot or hinge on which anything turns, an axis, a pole; akin to <?/ to move: cf. F. p\'93le .] 1. Either extremity of an axis of a sphere; especially, one of the extremities of the earth's axis; as, the north pole .

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.

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.

4. The firmament; the sky. [Poetic]

Shoots against the dusky pole . Milton.

5. (Geom.) See Polarity , and Polar , n.

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. <-- sic. something seems missing. is "produced" superfluous? -->

Poleax, Poleaxe <Xpage=107>

Pole"ax` , Pole"axe` (?) , n. [OE. pollax ; cf. OD. pollexe . See Poll head, and Ax.] Anciently, a kind of battle-ax with a long handle; later, an ax or hatchet with a short handle, and a head variously patterned; -- used by soldiers, and also by sailors in boarding a vessel.

Polecat <Xpage=107>

Pole"cat` (?) , n. [Probably fr. F. poule hen, and originally, a poultry cat, because it feeds on poultry. See Poultry .] (Zo\'94l.) (a) A small European carnivore of the Weasel family ( Putorius f\'d2tidus ). Its scent glands secrete a substance of an exceedingly disagreeable odor. Called also fitchet , foulmart , and European ferret . (b) The zorilla. The name is also applied to other allied species.

Poledavy <Xpage=107>

Pole"da`vy (?) , n. [Etymology uncertain.] A sort of coarse canvas; poldway. [Obs.]

Howell.

Poleless <Xpage=107>

Pole"less , a. Without a pole; as, a poleless chariot .

Polemarch <Xpage=107>

Pol"e*march (?) , n. [Gr. <?/; <?/ war + <?/ leader, from <?/ to be first.] (Gr. Antiq.) In Athens, originally, the military commanderin-chief; but, afterward, a civil magistrate who had jurisdiction in respect of strangers and sojourners. In other Grecian cities, a high military and civil officer.

Polemic <Xpage=107>

Po*lem"ic (?) , a. [Gr. <?/ warlike, fr.<?/ war: cf. F. pol\'82mique .] 1. Of or pertaining to controversy; maintaining, or involving, controversy; controversial; disputative; as, a polemic discourse or essay; polemic theology.

2. Engaged in, or addicted to, polemics, or to controversy; disputations; as, a polemic writer .

South.

Polemic <Xpage=107>

Po*lem"ic , n. 1. One who writes in support of one opinion, doctrine, or system, in opposition to another; one skilled in polemics; a controversialist; a disputant.

The sarcasms and invectives of the young polemic . Macaulay.

2. A polemic argument or controversy.

Polemical <Xpage=107>

Po*lem"ic*al (?) , a. Polemic; controversial; disputatious. -- Po*lem"ic*al*ly , adv.

Polemical and impertinent disputations. Jer. Taylor.

Polemicist <Xpage=107>

Po*lem"i*cist (?) , n. A polemic. [R.]

Polemics <Xpage=107>

Po*lem"ics (?) , n. [Cf. F. pol\'82mique .] The art or practice of disputation or controversy, especially on religious subjects; that branch of theological science which pertains to the history or conduct of ecclesiastical controversy.

Polemist <Xpage=107>

Pol"e*mist (?) , n. A polemic. [R.]

Polemoniaceous <Xpage=107>

Pol`e*mo`ni*a"ceous (?) , a. (Bot.) Of or pertaining to a natural order of plants ( Polemoniace\'91 ), which includes Polemonium , Phlox , Gilia , and a few other genera.

Polemonium <Xpage=107>

Pol`e*mo"ni*um (?) . n. [NL., fr. Gr.<?/ a kind of plant.] (Bot.) A genus of gamopetalous perennial herbs, including the Jacob's ladder and the Greek valerian.

Polemoscope <Xpage=107>

Po*lem"o*scope (?) , n. [Gr. <?/ war + -scope : cf. F. pol\'82moscope .] An opera glass or field glass with an oblique mirror arranged for seeing objects do not lie directly before the eye; -- called also diagonal, &or; side, opera glass .

Polemy <Xpage=107>

Pol"e*my (?) , n. [See Polemic .] Warfare; war; hence, contention; opposition. [Obs.]

Polenta <Xpage=107>

Po*len"ta (?) , n. [It., fr. L. polenta peeled barley.] Pudding made of Indian meal; also, porridge made of chestnut meal. [Italy]

Poler <Xpage=107>

Pol"er (?) , n. One who poles.

Poler <Xpage=107>

Pol"er , n. An extortioner. See Poller . [Obs.] Bacon .

Polestar <Xpage=107>

Pole"star` (?) , n. 1. Polaris, or the north star. See North star , under North .

2. A guide or director.

Polewards <Xpage=107>

Pole"wards (?) , adv. Toward a pole of the earth. "The regions further polewards ."

Whewell.

Polewig <Xpage=107>

Pole"wig (?) , n. [Cf. Polliwig .] (Zo\'94l.) The European spotted goby (Gobius minutus) ; -- called also pollybait . [Prov. Eng.]

Poley <Xpage=107>

Po"ley (?) , n. (Bot.) See Poly .

Poley <Xpage=107>

Po"ley , a. Without horns; polled. [Prov. Eng.] "That poley heifer."

H. Kingsley.

Polianite <Xpage=107>

Po"li*a*nite (?) , n. [Gr. <?/ to become gray.] (Min.) Manganese dioxide, occurring in tetragonal crystals nearly as hard as quartz.

Policate <Xpage=107>

Pol"i*cate (?) , a. (Zo\'94l.) Same as Pollicate .

Police <Xpage=107>

Po*lice" (?) , n. [F., fr. L. politia the condition of a state, government, administration, Gr. <?/, fr. <?/ to be a citizen, to govern or administer a state, fr. <?/ citizen, fr. <?/ city; akin to Skr. pur , puri . Cf. Policy polity, Polity .] 1. A judicial and executive system, for the government of a city, town, or district, for the preservation of rights, order, cleanliness, health, etc., and for the enforcement of the laws and prevention of crime; the administration of the laws and regulations of a city, incorporated town, or borough.

2. That which concerns the order of the community; the internal regulation of a state.

3. The organized body of civil officers in a city, town, or district, whose particular duties are the preservation of good order, the prevention and detection of crime, and the enforcement of the laws.

4. (Mil.) Military police, the body of soldiers detailed to preserve civil order and attend to sanitary arrangements in a camp or garrison.

5. The cleaning of a camp or garrison, or the state <?/ a camp as to cleanliness.

Police commissioner , a civil officer, usually one of a board, commissioned to regulate and control the appointment, duties, and discipline of the police. -- Police constable , &or; Police officer , a policeman. -- Police court , a minor court to try persons brought before it by the police. -- Police inspector , an officer of police ranking next below a superintendent. -- Police jury , a body of officers who collectively exercise jurisdiction in certain cases of police, as levying taxes, etc.; -- so called in Louisiana. Bouvier . -- Police justice , &or; Police magistrate , a judge of a police court. -- Police offenses (Law) , minor offenses against the order of the community, of which a police court may have final jurisdiction. -- Police station , the headquarters of the police, or of a section of them; the place where the police assemble for orders, and to which they take arrested persons.

Police <Xpage=107>

Po*lice" , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Policed (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Policing .] 1. To keep in order by police.

2. (Mil.) To make clean; as, to police a camp .

Policed <Xpage=107>

Po*liced" (?) , a. Regulated by laws for the maintenance of peace and order, enforced by organized administration. "A policed kingdom."

Howell.

Policeman <Xpage=107>

Po*lice"man (?) , n. ; pl. Policemen (<?/) . A member of a body of police; a constable.

Policial <Xpage=107>

Po*li"cial (<?/) , a. Relating to the police . [R.]

<-- p. 108 -->

Policied <Xpage=108>

Pol"i*cied (?) , a. Policed. [Obs.]

Bacon.

Policy <Xpage=108>

Pol"i*cy (?) , n. ; pl. Policies (#) . [L. politia , Gr. <?/; cf. F. police , Of. police . See Police , n. ] 1. Civil polity. [Obs.]

2. The settled method by which the government and affairs of a nation are, or may be, administered; a system of public or official administration, as designed to promote the external or internal prosperity of a state.

3. The method by which any institution is administered; system of management; course.