- Terrestrial poles
- 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.
[1913 Webster]
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. [1913 Webster]
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. [1913 Webster]
4. The firmament; the sky. [Poetic] [1913 Webster]
Shoots against the dusky pole. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
5. (Geom.) See {Polarity}, and {Polar}, n. [1913 Webster]
{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]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
