polariscopy 
polariscopy (p$-Ur'l-tk&-plJ, . [NL. 
polar, + (ir. W/TMT, view.] That limm-h i>f 
nplirs which deals with polarized light uml thr 
use of the polarisc<>i>r. 
polarise, polariser. *< y.<>/</n--<. /Wnn'.-n-. 
polaristic (p<>-l:i-ris'tik), a. [(polar + -<-<.] 
IVrtiiiiiin"; I" or <-\liiliitiiig poles; having a 
polar arnui<;i-iiii-iit or disposition. [Kare.] 
polaristrobometer (po'lar-i-stro-bom'e-ttr), n. 
[< NL. /Hilm-ix, polar, + 'dr. orpiflof, a whirling 
around, + /itrpov, measure.] A form of pola- 
rimeter or gacclmrimrti-r devised by Wild. Us 
special feature is the use of a double calcite Interference- 
plate, which producer in monochromatic light, a set of 
parallel hlack lines or fringes, which disappear in a certain 
relative position of the polarizer and analyzer ; this gives 
a delicate means of fixing the plane of polarization as ro- 
tated by the sugar solution under examination. See me- 
chariinctcr. 
polarity (po-lar'i-ti), . [= F. polaritf = Sp. 
/HI/II ridad = Pg. polaridade = It. polar M, < NL. 
"polarita(t-)s, < polaris, polar: see polar.] 1. 
The having two opposite poles; variation in 
certain physical properties, so that in one di- 
rection they are the opposite of what they are 
in the opposite direction: thus, a magnet has 
polarity. Usually, as in electritled or magnetized bod- 
ies, these are properties of attraction or repulsion, or the 
power of taking a certain direction : as, the polarity of 
the magnet or magnetic needle. (-See magnet.) A sub- 
stance Is said to possess inaynetic polarity when it pos- 
sesses poles, us shown by the fact that it attracts one pole 
of a magnetic needle and repels the other. 
A magnetical property which some call polarity. 
Boyle, Works, III. 309. 
2. The being attracted to one pole and repelled 
from the other; attraction of opposites : literal 
or figurative: as, electricity has polarity. 
It seemed Clifford's nature to be a Sybarite. It was per- 
ceptible even there, In the dark old pat lor. in the inevi- 
table polarity with which his eyes were attracted towards 
the quivering play of sunbeams through the shadowy fo- 
liage, llatrthorne, Seven Gables, vii. 
3. The having of an axis with reference to 
which certain physical properties are deter- 
mined. 4. The having, as a ray, variation of 
properties in reference to different inclinations 
to a plane through the ray; polarization. [This 
use of the word is objectionable.] 
polarizable (po'lar-1-za-bl), a. [< polarise + 
-able.] Capable of beiugpolarized. Alsospelled 
polarisahle. 
polarization (p6''lar-i-za'shon), w. [= F. 710- 
laritmtioii = It. polarizzazione ; as polarize + 
-tton.] 1. The state, or the act producing the 
state, of having, as a ray, different properties 
on its different sides, so that opposite sides are 
alike, but the maximum difference is between 
two sides at right angles to each other. This 
is the case with polarized light. 2. Less prop- 
erly, Oie acquisition of polarity, in any sense. 
Also spelled polarisation. 
Angle of polarization, circular polarization. See 
polarization of liyht. Electrolytic polarization, in 
elect.: (a) The process of depositing a Him of gas upon 
the plate in a voltaic cell, or upon the electrodes in elec- 
trolysis, (b) The condition thus produced. Thus, in 
the electrolysis of water polarization of the electrodes 
takes place, the one becoming coated with a film of oxy- 
11. the other with a film of hydrogen gas. The phrase 
most frequently used to describe the process by which 
the negative plate in a voltaic cell becomes coated with 
hydrogen, with the result of giving rise to a reverse 
electromotive force, and thus of weakening the current. 
On the methods of preventing this, see cell, 8. Ellip- 
tic polarization. See polarization of liyht.- Plane 
Of polarization, the plane which includes the incident 
ray and the ray which is reflected (or refracted) and po- 
larized. Polarization of a dielectric, or dielectric 
polarization, a phrase Introduced by Faraday to describe 
the condition of a non-conductor or dielectric, as he con- 
ceived it, when in a state of strain under the action of two 
adjacent charges of positive and negative electricity, as, 
for example, In the condenser. - Polarization Of light, 
a change produced In light by reflection from or trans- 
mission through certain media by which the transverse 
vibrations of the ether (see lit/Ml) are limited to a single 
plane, while in a ray of ordinary light these vibrations 
take place indifferently in any plane about the line of 
propagation. I'olarlzatlon may be effected (l)by reflection 
from a surface of glass, water, or similar substance, and 
it is most complete if the angle of Incidence has a certain 
value, depending upon the substance, called the angle of 
polarization (for glass M}'), the tangent of this angle be- 
ing equal to the refractive Index of the glren substance 
(Urewster's law); (2) by transmission through a series of 
transparent plates of glass placed In parallel position at 
the proper angle to the incident ray ; and (:t) by double 
refraction In any transparent anlsotroplc crystal (see re- 
fraction). In the last case the two rays Into which the 
tin i'lent ray is separated upon refraction are polarized In 
planes at right angles to each other, as. for example, In 
transparent calclte (Iceland sparX In which this double 
refractim is most marked. A prism of Iceland spar may 
be prepared In such a way that one of the two refract- 
ed rays suffers total reflection and In extinguished ; tip- 
other ray, which passes through, Is polarized, Its vibra- 
tions taking place in the direction of the shorter diagonal 
of the cross-section. Much a prism Is called a Xicol pritm. 
i r.no 
or simply a uicol. If two such prisms are placed in the 
path of a beam of ordinary light, it will pass through 
(hem if their positions are parallel; if, however, the nic- 
ols are crossed that Is, have their shorter diagonals, 
or, In other words, their vibration-planes, at right an- 
gles to each other the light which passes through the 
first prism (called the polarizer) will be extinguished by 
the second (called the analyzer). Two sections of a crys- 
tal of tourmalin, another doubly refracting substance, cut 
parallel to the vertical axis, will act In the same way as 
the nlcols, transmitting the light if placed parallel, arrest- 
ing it if placed with axes at right angles to each other. 
In the tourmalin one of the rays is almost entirely ab- 
sorbed by the crystal, and that which passes through is 
jiolarized with its vibrations parallel to the axis. In ad- 
dition to the above linear plane polarization of a light-ray, 
there is also what is called circular and elliptical polariza- 
tion, in which the vibrations of the ether-particles take 
place in circles and ellipses. This property, belonging to 
certain substances, as quartz, cinnabar, and solution of 
sugar, has the effect of rotating the plane of polarization 
of the light transmitted through them to the right (right- 
handed) or to the left (left-handed). A light-ray passing 
through a transparent medium in a strong magnetic Held, 
or reflected from the pole of a powerful electromagnet, also 
suffers a rotation of the plane of polarization. See rota- 
tion, and rotatory power, under rotatory. 
polarization-microscope (po * lar - i - za ' shon - 
ini'kr9-skop), . An instrument consisting es- 
sentially of a microscope and a polariscope com- 
bined. See microscope. 
polarize (po'lar-iz), v. t. ; pret. and pp. polar- 
ized, ppr. polarizing. [= F. polariser = Sp. po- 
larisar = It. polarizzare; as polar + -ize.) 1. 
To develop polarization in, as in a ray of light 
which is acted upon by certain media and sur- 
faces; give polarity to. See polarization. 
If sound's sweet influence polarize thy brain, 
And thoughts turn crystals in the fluid strain. 
0. W. Holmes, A Rhymed Lesson. 
2. In elect., to coat with a film of gas, as the 
negative plate in a voltaic cell. 
Also spelled polarise. 
Polarizing angle. Same as angle of polarization, for 
which see polarization of liyht, under polarization. Po- 
larizing microscope. See polaritcope. 
polarized (po'lar-Izd), ;>. a. 1. Having polari- 
zation; affecteil by polarization: as, polarized 
light; polarized radiant heat. 2. In elect., hav- 
ing the surface covered with a film of gas, as 
the negative plate of a simple voltaic cell (with 
hydrogen) after a brief use. 
Also spelled polarised. 
Polarized rings. See interference figure*, under inter- 
ference, 5. 
polarizer (po'lar-i-zer), . In optics, that part 
of a polariscope by which light is polarized: 
distinguished from analyzer. Also spelled po- 
lariser. 
polar-plant (po'lilr-plant), n. Same as com- 
pass-]>lan>. [Rare.] 
polaryt (po'la-ri), n. [< NL. polarix: see po- 
lar.'] Tending to a pole; turning toward a 
pole. 
All which acquire a magnetical polary condition, and, 
being suspended, convert their lower extream unto the 
North ; with the same attracting the Southern point of the 
needle. Sir T. Broicne, Vulg. Err., li. 2. 
polatouche (pol-ii-tosh'), . [F.] The small 
flying-squirrel of Europe and Asia, a species of 
the genus Sciuropterits. Also palatouclie, 
polaynet, Same as poulaine. 
poldavist, n. Same as poledary. 
polder (pol'der), . [D.] A boggy or marshy 
soil : a morass ; specifically, a tract of marshy 
land in the Netherlands, Flanders, and northern 
Germany, which has been reclaimed and brought 
under cultivation. 
polder-land (pol'der-land), n. In the Nether- 
lands and adjoining regions, marshy land which 
has been reclaimed and brought under cultiva- 
tion. 
Thus the privileges of the Abbey of St Pierre of Client 
of about the year 830 mention the existence of a partner- 
ship of fifty members for the working of some polder-land. 
W. K. Sullivan, Introd. to o'cnrr.v's Anc. Irish, p. ccxii. 
poldernt, poldront, . Obsolete forms of paul- 
poldwayt, . Same as poledavy. Weale. 
pole 1 (pol), n. [< ME. pole, < AS. pal, a pole, = 
OFrit-s. /nil, /-! = D. paal = MLG. ual = OHG. 
/I/ml, Mill ;. /ilidl, pfdl, G. pfahl = Icel. ]nlU = 
Sw. p&le = Dan. piel, a pale, post, stake, = OF. 
pal ( > ME. pal, pale, E. pale 1 ), F. pal = Sp. palo 
= Pg. pao, pan = It. palo, a stake, stick, < L. 
/ :ni us, a stake, pale, prop, stay : see pale*, from 
the same L. source, derived through OF.] 1. 
A long, slender, tapering piece of wood, such as 
the trunk of a tree of any size, from which the 
branches have been cut; a piece of wood (or 
metal) of much greater length than thickness, 
especially when more or less rounded and ta- 
pering. 
pole 
In the eucnyng they entred with a thousand Spaniards 
* other, & fclewe one citizen A set his hed on a polle, <t 
caused It to be borne afore them. 
Halt, Hen. VIII., an. 19. 
Vines that grow not so low as in France, but vpon high 
polo or relies. Coryat, Crudities, I. 95. 
Specifically (a) A rod used in measuring. (6) In a two- 
horse vehicle, a long tapering piece of wood, forming the 
shaft or tongue, carrying the neck-yoke or the pole-straps, 
and sometimes the whiflletrees, by means of which the 
carriage Is drawn, (r) A fishing-rod, (d) A bean-pole or 
hop-pole. () A ship's mast. 
2. A perch or rod, a measure of length contain- 
ing 16J feet or 5J yards ; also, a measure of sur- 
face, a square pole denoting 5J X 5J yards, or 
30J square yards. 
In dyuers odur placls In this lande they mete gronnde 
by polli*. gaddis, and roddls ; som be of xvfij foote, som of 
xx. tote, and som xxL fote In lengith. 
Arnold't Chron., p. 173. 
3. A flatfish, Pleuronectes or Glyptoceplialus cy- 
noglossus, also called pole-dab. [Local, Eng.] 
4. That part of the sperm-whale's lower jaw 
which holds the teeth. See pan 1 , 12 Barber's 
pole. See tarter. Setting pole, a pole with which a 
boat is pushed through the water. To set a pole. See 
tet. Under bare poles. Seedorei. 
pole 1 (pol), r. ; pret. and pp. poled, ppr. poHnij. 
[(.pole 1 , n.] I. trans. 1. To furnish with poles 
for support : as, to pole beans. 2. To bear or 
convey on poles. 3. To impel by means of a 
pole, as a boat; push forward by the use of 
poles. 4. In copper-refining, to stir with a pole. 
H. intrans. To use a pole ; push or impel a 
boat with a pole. 
From the beach we poled to the little pier, where sat 
the Bey In person to perform a final examination of our 
passports. R. F. Burton, El-Medinah, p. 120. 
pole'-' (pol), H. [< ME. pol = D. pool = G. Sw. 
Dan. pol, < OF. pol, F. pole = Sp. Pg. It. polo, 
< li.jyotus, < Gr. mttof, a pivot, hinge, axis, pole, 
< viMiv, xefaoffai, be in motion ; prob. of like root 
with Kt'f.eaSai, urge on, iccMetv, drive on, L. -cel- 
lere in percellere, urge on, impel, strike, beat 
down, etc.] 1. One of the two points in which 
the axis of the earth produced cuts the celes- 
tial sphere; the fixed point about which (on 
account of the revolution of the earth) the stars 
appear to revolve. These points are called 
the poles of the irorld, or the celestial jioles. 
She shook her throne that shook the starry pole. 
Pope, Iliad, viii. 241. 
2. Either of the two points on the earth's sur- 
face in which it is cut by the axis of rotation. 
That one which is on the left when one faces In the direc- 
tion of the earth's motion is the north pole, the other the 
south pole. 
3. In general, a point on a sphere equally distant 
from every part of the circumference of a great 
circle of the sphere. Every- great circle has two such 
poles, which lie in a line passing through the center of 
the sphere and perpendicular to the plane of the great 
circle that is, in an axis of the sphere. Thus, the zenith 
and nadir (on the celestial sphere) are the poles of the 
horizon. So the poles of the ecliptic are two points on the 
surface of the celestial sphere equally distant (90*) from 
every part of the ecliptic. 
Hence 4. In any more or less spherical body, 
one of two opposite points of the surface in any 
way distinguished ; or, when there is a marked 
equator, one of the two points most remote 
from it: as, in botany, the poles of certain 
spores or sporidia. 6. The star which is near- 
est the pole of the earth; the pole-star. 6. 
The firmament ; the sky. 
The Hod that made both sky, air, earth, and heaven, 
Which they beheld, the moon's resplendent globe, 
And starry pole. Milton, P. L., IT. 724. 
7. One of the points of a body at which its at- 
tractive or repulsive energy is concentrated, as 
the free ends of a magnet, one called the north, 
the other the south pole, which attract more 
strongly than any other part. See magnet. 
8. In math.: (a) A point from which a pencil of 
lines radiates: as, the pole that is, the origin 
of polar coordinates. (6) A point to which a 
given line is polar, (c) A curve related to a 
line as a polar is to a point, except that tan- 
gential are substituted for point coordinates; 
the result of operating upon the equation of a 
curve with the symbol (w'.d/dti + r'.d dp + 
tp'.didir), where ', ', tr' are the coordinates 
of the line of which the resulting curve is pole 
relative to the primitive curve. See /mlnr. n. 
- Altitude or elevation of the pole. See altitude. 
Analogous pole, Hint end of a pyro-electric crystal, as 
tourmalin, at which positive clt-rti irity is developed uitli 
a rise, and negative electricity with a fall. In tempera- 
ture. See pyro-tlectricity.- Antilogous pole, that end 
of a pyro electric crystal, as tourmalin, at which nega- 
tive electricity la developed with a rise, iinii i>oMtive 
with a fall, in tcmjK nttme. See pyro-electricity.- Aus- 
tral, blue, boreal, chlorous pole, sec t!" mljif tlvea. 
Consecutive poles, consequent poles, see may- 
