Background for pole

pole

/pɔːl/ /poʊl/ /pɔʊl/

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noun

Originally, a stick; now specifically, a long and slender piece of metal or (especially) wood, used for various construction or support purposes.

Examples :

"The tent poles are made of strong wood. "

material structure architecture technical building essential

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noun

A type of basic fishing rod.

Examples :

"My grandfather used his old bamboo pole to fish in the creek behind his house. "

utensil fish sport essential

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noun

A long sports implement used for pole-vaulting; now made of glassfiber or carbon fiber, formerly also metal, bamboo and wood have been used.

Examples :

"The pole-vaulter used a strong fiberglass pole to leap over the bar. "

sport utensil essential

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noun

(spotting) A telescope used to identify birds, aeroplanes or wildlife.

Examples :

"The birdwatcher used the spotting pole to identify the rare falcon soaring above the park. "

technology device bird animal nature essential

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noun

A unit of length, equal to a rod (1/4 chain or 5 1/2 yards).

Examples :

"The farmer measured the length of the field using poles, each one representing a quarter chain. "

unit math essential

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noun

Examples :

"The student who got pole position in the race was first to answer the question. "

position sport achievement essential

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noun

Examples :

"My grandfather kept his old hunting pole in the shed. "

weapon essential

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noun

Examples :

"The doctor examined the patient's pole carefully during the checkup. "

body organ sex essential

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verb

To propel by pushing with poles, to push with a pole.

Examples :

"Huck Finn poled that raft southward down the Mississippi because going northward against the current was too much work."

action vehicle sport nautical essential

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verb

To identify something quite precisely using a telescope.

Examples :

"He poled off the serial of the Gulfstream to confirm its identity."

astronomy technical science essential

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verb

To furnish with poles for support.

Examples :

"to pole beans or hops"

utility building essential

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verb

To convey on poles.

Examples :

"to pole hay into a barn"

action vehicle essential

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verb

To stir, as molten glass, with a pole.

Examples :

"The glassblower used a long metal pole to pole the molten glass, shaping it into a bowl. "

material industry essential

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verb

To strike (the ball) very hard.

Examples :

"The baseball player poled the ball over the fence for a home run. "

sport entertainment essential

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noun

Either of the two points on the earth's surface around which it rotates; also, similar points on any other rotating object.

Examples :

"The Earth rotates around its north and south poles. "

geography astronomy essential

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noun

A point of magnetic focus, especially each of the two opposing such points of a magnet (designated north and south).

Examples :

"The compass needle always points to the magnetic pole. "

physics energy point nature essential

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noun

A fixed point relative to other points or lines.

Examples :

"The flagpole in the schoolyard is a fixed point, providing a reference for students to gather around. "

point math physics astronomy geography nautical technical essential

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noun

A contact on an electrical device (such as a battery) at which electric current enters or leaves.

Examples :

"The battery's positive pole is where the electricity flows out to power the flashlight. "

electronics electric device technology machine essential

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noun

For a meromorphic function f(z), any point a for which f(z) \rightarrow \infty as z \rightarrow a.

Examples :

"The function f(z) = rac{1}{z-3} has a single pole at z = 3"

math function point essential

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noun

The firmament; the sky.

Examples :

"Looking up at the vast pole, the children marveled at the beautiful clouds. "

astronomy space essential

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noun

Either of the states that characterize a bipolar disorder.

Examples :

"The patient's recent mood swings were a clear indication of the manic pole of bipolar disorder. "

mind medicine essential

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verb

To induce piezoelectricity in (a substance) by aligning the dipoles.

Examples :

"The scientist is poling the crystal to generate a small electrical charge. "

material substance physics energy technology essential