| polarity |
the state or condition of having positive and negative poles or of being oriented toward a particular pole. [2 definitions] |
| polarization |
a condition, or production of a condition, in which similar vibrations of light waves or the like move in one plane or direction. [2 definitions] |
| polarize |
to cause similar vibrations of (light waves or the like) to move in one plane or direction. [3 definitions] |
| polar night |
in polar regions, the time of the year when the sun does not rise above the horizon, esp. a period of 24 hours or more when there is no twilight. |
| Polaroid |
trademark for a substance able to polarize light passing through it, used to reduce glare. [2 definitions] |
| Pole |
a native or citizen of Poland, or a descendant thereof. |
| pole1 |
a long, often narrow cylindrical post or rod made of metal, wood, or the like. [4 definitions] |
| pole2 |
either of the two ends of the axis of a spherical body such as the earth, or either of the regions around the earth's North and South Poles. [4 definitions] |
| poleax |
a long-handled weapon combining ax, hammer, and spearpoint, used in battle in the Middle Ages. [3 definitions] |
| pole bean |
any vinelike variety of bean that can twine upward around a pole, stake, trellis, or the like. (Cf. bush bean.) |
| polecat |
a dark-furred carnivorous mammal of the weasel family found in Eurasia and northern Africa. [2 definitions] |
| polemic |
an emphatic statement of a controversial viewpoint, usually criticizing or refuting an existing position. [3 definitions] |
| polemical |
adopting a controversial or disputatious position. |
| polemicist |
one who writes polemics. [2 definitions] |
| polemics |
(used with a sing. verb) the art or practice of disputation or controversy. [2 definitions] |
| polenta |
an Italian dish made of cornmeal mush. |
| poles apart |
holding entirely different values, positions, or the like. |
| polestar |
a bright star near the north celestial pole; Polaris; North Star. [2 definitions] |
| pole vault |
a field event in which the participants perform high vaults with the aid of a long flexible pole that propels them over a crossbar. |
| pole-vault |
to vault over a high crossbar with the aid of a pole; perform a pole vault. |
| police |
a department of a town, city, or state government that has the authority of enforcing laws, investigating crimes, and maintaining order; police force. [5 definitions] |