pole 
nrt. Galactic poles. sec >mlnrt,'r. Magnetic pole. 
(a) One of the points on the earth's surface where the 
dipping-needle stands vertical. Tin- tunn h;is also some- 
timrs iii-i-n Improperly applied to the points of maximum 
magnetic Intensity, at which there are two in each hemi- 
sphere, neither of them near the pole of dip. (6) In a 
magnetic body, either of the two points aiM>ut which 
two opposite magnetic forces are generally most intense. 
A line joining these points is called the waaiirHe axu, 
and generally a magnet may be considered as if the 
magnetic forces were concentrated at the extremity of 
this line. When a magnetic body is freely suspended, 
tl>' magnetic axis assumes a direction parallel with the 
lines of force of the magnetic field in which It is. On 
the surface of the earth this direction is in a vertical 
plane approximately north and south, and that end uf 
the magnet which points to the north Is generally called 
the north pole or the north-seekiny pule. The fact that 
the real magnetism of this pole is opposite In character 
to that of the north pole of the earth gives rise t< 
4591 
a chicken-thief. The word 'poll, "pnulr, a hen, 
chicken, is not elsewhere found in ME. (except 
as in the derivatives poult, poultry, pullet, jml- 
Itn, etc.), and the first element of polecat has 
been variously identified with (a) Pole* or Pol- 
ish; (b) OF. pulent, stinking: or (c) ME. pol, 
E. pool, in the assumed sense of 'hole' or 'bur- 
row.'] 1. The fitchew or foulmart, Putoriun 
fa'tidus of Europe, of a dark-brown color, with 
a copious fine pelage much used in furriery and 
for making artists' brushes. See JHch%. 2. 
One of several other quadrupeds, mostly of the 
family Muxtelidx, which have a strong offen- 
sive smell. Specifically -(a) Any American skunk, es- 
pecially the common one, Mephitit utephitica. See skuiU,. 
(6) The African zoril, Zorilla itriata or Z. caueiau. (c) A 
kind of paradoxure. 
The skunk- 
polenta 
in sup]M>rt of an opinion or a system in opposi- 
tion to another. 
Each staunch polemic, stubborn as a rock. 
Pope, Dunclad, Iv. 196. 
2. A controversy; a controversial argument. 
It is well that, In our polemic against metaphysics, there 
should be no room left for ambiguity or misconception. 
J. fiike. Cosmic Phil.*, I. 126. 
Prof. Huxley, In Mt polemic against Herbert Spencer, 
states quite rightly that the most perfect zoological be- 
ings present that subordination pushed to the extreme de- 
gree. Contemporary Her., L. 433. 
lolemical (po-lem'i-kal), a. [< polemic + -al.~\ 
Of or pertaining to polemics or controversy; 
controversial; polemic: as, polemical logic. 
The former (error In doctrine] I must leave to the con- 
viction of those poleiniritll discourses which have been so 
learnedly written of the several points at difference. 
' llatt, Christ. Moderation, II. | 1. 
maximum magnetic intensity, and in fact it may be as- 
sumed that all parts of a magnet are in a state of po- 
larity, the actual poles of the magnet being the result of 
lens, or the thinnest part of a concave 
its surface. Hutton. Pole of a line 
conic with the line. Pole of a plane with reference to 
a conicoid, the vertex of the cone tangent to the conicuid 
on the plane. Pole of revolution. When a globe or 
brace 
a 
some 
confusion in the nomenclature of the poles. Some phy- 
sicists have used the epithets marked and unmarked to polecat-Weed (poTkat-wed), n. 
designate the^north-seeking and south seeking poles re- cabbage, Symploearpus jaetuliui. - - -. - 
Mes a 'or a p^in U tsof Pole-chain (pol'chan). n. A chain on the front polemically (po-lem'i-kal-i), adv. In a polern- 
end of a carriage-pole. It is connected with ical manner; controversially; disputatively; 
the collar or the breast-chains of the harness. i polemic discourse or argument ; in the man- 
K. H. Kiiiyht. ner of polemics. 
.,. POle-changer fpol'ohftn'jer), . A device by polemicist (po-lem'i-sist), w. (Xpofrmie + -*<.] 
lens ; the center of "leans of which the direction of the current in One given to controversy ; a polemic. [Hare.] 
with reference to a an electric circuit may conveniently be re- polemics (po-lem'iks), n. [PI. of polemic: see 
pple-cliptt (pol'klipt), . Entwined or em- troversy; specifically, that branch of theology 
raced by means of supporting poles : said of which is concerned with the history or conduct 
vineyard. See clipl. of ecclesiastical controversy: the word more 
Shak., Tempest, Iv. i. es. particularly denotes offensive as distinguished 
- Pole o"f veracity, the earth's magne^'pole/at which pole-Crab (pol'krab), . A double loop attached ^SSi^f^w! t ' o P t Ver8 r y " : I ) J )O ?? dto ''"' 
a freely suspended magnetic needle assumes a vertical *> f i... ...Jttllio ,.. , fhJ ,., I f *i POlemist (pol'e-mist), H. [=F. uolemmte : < Gr. 
positlon.-Polesofavoltaicplleorbattery.theplates metallic cap or pole-tip on the end of the *. 
at the extremities of a voltaic battery, or the wires which P' e OI a venicle. The loops receive the breast straps 
join them, the end which is chemically passive being ' 'he harness. When pole-chains are used, they are at- 
cMed the positive pole, and that which is chemically active tached to rings added to the pole-crab, 
the negatux pole. See battery, cell, electrode. -Poles of pole-dab (pol'dab), N. Same asjw/c 1 , 3. [Lo- 
the bo- cal, Eng.l 
"ll^g PO^davyt (pol'da-vi), n. [Also polcdarir, pull- Polemoniacesefpol-e-mo-ni-a'se-e),!!.;)/. 
marked pole of a magnet. See marked. To depress '('"'#> pouldaricx, p/iltliray, etc.; origin obscure. (Ventenat, 1794), < Polemonium + -tu-e&.~] "Th 
See i 
a combatant, < m&fufctv, fight, < 
T^6i>.ffiof, war.] A controversialist; a polemic. 
[Rare.] 
Other political ptiemul* of his kind. 
The Century. XXXV. 201. 
toe pole. See depress. Unit Pole, a magnetic i>o5e tw- 
tween which and anotherof equal strength, separated from 
it by a unit's distance, a unit s force is exerted. 
Pole 3 (pol), . [= G. Pole = D. Pool, a Pole 
(Polen, Poland); < Pol. Poluk, a Pole (see Po- 
lack); cf. Polsko, Poland, I'olvkl, Polish.] A 
native or an inhabitant of Poland, a former 
kingdom of Europe, divided, since the latter 
part of the, eighteenth century, between Russia, 
Prussia, and Austria. 
SSJ; ::: AfTStiSSfrjSS&f,*. $& ^S/T of ' 
poleax, pollax (pol'aks), . [Also poll<;u-c; P 
commonly poleax, as if </>/<! -r a* 1 , but prop. 
pollax, < ME. pollax, < MLG. polcjre, a poleax, 
< pol, poll, head, + ejce = E. ax 1 : see poll 1 and 
ax' 1 .] 1. Formerly, a weapon or tool consist ing 
of an ax-head on a long handle, and often com- 
bined with a hook at the end, or a blade like a 
Cf. owdniMW.] A coarse linen; hence, any 
coarse ware. An rex; Hrillitrrll. 
Your dellgence, knaves, or I shall canvas? your pnleda- 
eye*; deafen not a gallant with your anon, anon, sir, to 
make him stop his cares at an over-reckoning. 
The Bride, slg. C. ill. (HaUiireU.) 
You must be content with homely I'ulldarie Ware from 
me, for you must not expect from us Country-folks such 
Court, abound withal. Uuinell, Letters, I. 11. 10. 
fer with a lout; handle, 
under hammer*. 
In the fourteenth century the war hammer was In gen- 
eral use. and was often of considerable weight. The foot 
soldiers had It Hxed on a long pole, whence the name Pole- 
hammer, given to it in England. 
W. K. StiUican, Introd. to O'Curry's Anc. Irish, p. ccccllx. 
pick on the side opposite the blade of the ax; pole-head (pol'hcd), . [For "jiolllintd (T); < 
later, more loosely, a battle-ax. poll 1 + head. Cf. tadpole.} A tadpole. Halti- 
The Pentioners with ther poleaxet on each side of her """. [Prov. Eng.] 
Maiestle. Booke of Precedence (E. E.T. S., extra ser.),i. 22. pole-hook (pol huk), . 1. A hook on the end 
2. (a) A weapon used in the navy by boarders o * a carriage-tongue. 2. Same as boat-hook. 
and also to cut away rigging, etc. It is a hatchet E. H. Knight. 
with a short handle at the end of which is a pole-horse (pol hors), . A shaft-horse as dis- 
strong hook. (6) An ax for slaughtering cattle, tinguished from a leader ; a wheeler. 
phlox family, an order of gamopetalous plants, 
the type of the cohort I'olcmonialcn. It is char- 
acterized by the five stamens Inserted on the corolla-tube 
alternate to Its live equal and convolute lobes, the three- 
cleft thread-like style, the superior three-celled ovary, 
with two or more ovules in each cell, and a capsular fruit 
There are about ISO species, belonging to H genera, of which 
/'obtiumtum, Phlox, llilia, Cobna, and Cantua yield many 
handsome species in cultivation. They are chiefly na- 
tives of western North America, with others in the Andes, 
and a few In Europe and temperate parts of Asia, mostly 
herbs, of mild and innocent properties, with ornamental 
and bright-colored flowers. See cuts under Cob/ra and Ja- 
A martel-dr- polemoniaceons (pol-e-mo-ni-a'shius), a. Of 
bee Lucerne hammer, or ,, ertllill ing to the PalemoniaeeH. 
Polemoniales (pol-e-mo-ni-a'lez), n. pi. [NL. 
(Hentham and Hooker, 1876), < Polrmonium, 
q. v.] A cohort of gamopetalous plants, char- 
acterized by a regular corolla with five lobes 
pole-bean (pol'ben), . Any one of the twin 
ing varieties of the common garden bean, re- 
quiring the support of a pole. See bcttnl, 2. 
pole-burn (pol'bern), r. . To discolor and lose 
flavor by overheating, as tobacco when hung 
too closely on poles in the first stage of the 
curing process. 
pole-brackets (pol'brak'ets), . pi. Brackets 
placed upon poles for supporting telegraph- 
wires. 
chicken (< OF. "pole, poule, F. ponle, a hen, a 
chicken), + cat. The polecat is well known as 
pole-lathe (pol'laTH), . Same as center- 
lathe, 2. 
poleless (pol'les), a. [<polc* + -less.] With- 
out a pole. 
Horses that draw a pole-lete, chariot 
Sir R. Stapleton, tr. of Juvenal, x. 155. 
polemarch (pol'e-mark) z n. 
= Pg.pole niarco, < Gr. 
a war, polemarch, < 7r6?^of , war, + ap^fiv, be 
first.] A title of several officials in ancient 
Greek states. At Athens the polemarch was the third 
archon, who was as late as Marathon the titular military 
commander-ln-chief, and was later a civil magistrate hav- 
ing under his especial care all strangers and temporary 
sojourners in the city, and all children of parents who 
had lost their lives in the service of their country. 
pole-mast (pol'mast), n. Xavt., a mast com- 
posed of a single piece or tree, in contradis- 
tinction to one built up of several pieces. 
polemic (po-lem'ik), a. and n. [= P. polemiqne 
= Sp. pofemico = Pg. It. polemiro, polemic (F. 
polt-miques = Sp. puletiilcit = Pg. It. polemica, 
n., polemics)/ Gr. iro/t/uxor, warlike, < n-ii?,euoc, 
war.] I. a. Of or pertaining to controversy; 
controversial; disputative: as, a polemic essay 
and five alternate stamens, as in the related co- 
hort Gentianalex, from which it is distinguish- 
ed by its alternate leaves. It Includes 5 orders, the 
Snlanacete, Conrolrulaceir, Boragiruur, Uydmphullacev, 
and Polrmoniacf/r, In part distinguished respectively by 
rank odor, twining habit, fruit of four nutlets, pods with 
two cells, and pods with three cells. 
Polemonium (pol-e-mo'ui-um), . [NL. 
(Tournefort, 1700) (cf. 1,. polemoiiia, valerian), 
< Gr. vofa/i&vtov, valerian (f), said by Pliny 
to be from iri/e/iof, war, because the cause of 
war between two kings; by others, to be so 
named from the philosopher Polemon of Ath- 
ens, or from King Polemon of Pontus.] A ge- 
nus of plants, the type pf the order Polemoiii- 
acese, characterized by its declined stamens, 
[= P. polemarque pilose filament-bases, bractless calyx, deeply 
, one who leads three-valved capsule, and from two to twelve 
ovules in each cell. There are 8 or 9 species, natives 
of Europe, Asia, North America, Mexico, and Chill. They 
are delicate plants with pinnate leaves and terminal cymes 
of ornamental blue, violet, or white flowers, commonly 
broadly bell-shaped. /'. cterulemn is known as Jacob'*- 
ladder, also Greek talerian, and sometimes In England as 
makebate. or charity. P. replant Is locally known as abtcea- 
root, and improperly as forget-me-not. 
polemoscope (pol'e-mo-skop), . [= F. /-/./.- 
moscojte = Sp. Pg. polemoscopio, < Gr. irofa/ior, 
war, 4- aiurireiv, view.] A perspective glass fit- 
ted with a mirror set at an angle, designed for 
viewing objects that do not lie directly before 
the eye : so named from its possible use in war- 
fare to observe the motions of the enemy from 
behind defenses. Opera-glasses also are sometimes 
constructed In this way, to admit of seeing persons ob- 
liquely without apparently directing the glass at them. 
Fitch or Polecat (Putorita Str/aia). 
or treatise; polemic divinity or theology; po- polemyt (pol'e-mi), n. [< Gr. ird?.r/u>(, war.] 
lemic writers. War; warfare; hence, contention ; resistance. 
The nullity of this distinction has been solidly shewn s '"' *-' J>cring. 
by most of our polemitk writers of the Protestant church, pole-net (pol'net), w. A net attached to a pole 
South, Sermons, for fishing; a shrimping-net ; a poke-net. 
II. n. 1. A disputant; one who carries on a polenta (po-len'tS), w. [= F. imit nt<-. polenta 
controversy; a controversialist; one who writes = Sp. Pg. It. polenta, ''a meate vsed in Italie 
