Webster's Unabridged Dictionary - Letter P - Page 87
Polarization (n.) (Opt.) A peculiar affection or condition of the rays of light or heat, in consequence of which they exhibit different properties in different directions.
Note: If a beam of light, which has been reflected from a plate of unsilvered glass at an angle of about 56[deg], be received upon a second plate of glass similar to the former, and at the same angle of incidence, the light will be readily reflected when the two planes of incidence are parallel to each other, but will not be reflected when the two planes of incidence are perpendicular to each other. The light has, therefore, acquired new properties by reflection from the first plate of glass, and is called polarized light, while the modification which the light has experienced by this reflection is called polarization. The plane in which the beam of light is reflected from the first mirror is called the plane of polarization. The angle of polarization is the angle at which a beam of light must be reflected, in order that the polarization may be the most complete. The term polarization was derived from the theory of emission, and it was conceived that each luminous molecule has two poles analogous to the poles of a magnet; but this view is not now held. According to the undulatory theory, ordinary light is produced by vibrations transverse or perpendicular to the direction of the ray, and distributed as to show no distinction as to any particular direction. But when, by any means, these, vibrations are made to take place in one plane, the light is said to be plane polarized. If only a portion of the vibrations lie in one plane the ray is said to be partially polarized. Light may be polarized by several methods other than by reflection, as by refraction through most crystalline media, or by being transmitted obliquely through several plates of glass with parallel faces. If a beam of polarized light be transmitted through a crystal of quartz in the direction of its axis, the plane of polarization will be changed by an angle proportional to the thickness of the crystal. This phenomenon is called rotatory polarization. A beam of light reflected from a metallic surface, or from glass surfaces under certain peculiar conditions, acquires properties still more complex, its vibrations being no longer rectilinear, but circular, or elliptical. This phenomenon is called circular or elliptical polarization.
Polarization (n.) (Elec.) An effect produced upon the plates of a voltaic battery, or the electrodes in an electrolytic cell, by the deposition upon them of the gases liberated by the action of the current. It is chiefly due to the hydrogen, and results in an increase of the resistance, and the setting up of an opposing electro-motive force, both of which tend materially to weaken the current of the battery, or that passing through the cell.
Polarization (n.) The phenomenon in which waves of light or other radiation are restricted in direction of vibration [syn: polarization, polarisation].
Polarization (n.) The condition of having or giving polarity [syn: polarization, polarisation].
Polarized (imp. & p. p.) of Polarize.
Polarizing (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Polarize.
Polarize (v. t.) To communicate polarity to.
Polarize (v.) Cause to vibrate in a definite pattern; "polarize light waves" [syn: polarize, polarise].
Polarize (v.) Cause to concentrate about two conflicting or contrasting positions [syn: polarize, polarise].
Polarize (v.) Become polarized in a conflict or contrasting situation [syn: polarize, polarise].
Polarizer (n.) (Physics) That which polarizes; especially, the part of a polariscope which receives and polarizes the light. It is usually a reflecting plate, or a plate of some crystal, as tourmaline, or a doubly refracting crystal.
Polar vortex (ph.) 【氣】 極地渦旋；極渦 （英語：Polar Vortex；或極地漩渦），是一種發生於極地的，介於對流層與平流層的中、上部的，持續性且大規模的氣旋。這種渦旋在極夜的時候最為強大，因為此時的溫度梯度是最大，但持續縮減，到夏季甚至會消失。
A polar vortex is an upper level low-pressure area lying near the Earth's poles. There are two polar vortices in the Earth's atmosphere, overlying the North and South Poles. Each polar vortex is a persistent, large-scale, low pressure zone that rotates counter-clockwise at the North Pole (called a cyclone) and clockwise at the South Pole, i.e., both polar vortices rotate eastward around the poles. The bases of the two polar vortices are located in the middle and upper troposphere and extend into the stratosphere. Beneath that lies a large mass of cold, dense Arctic air.
Polary (a.) Tending to a pole; having a direction toward a pole. [R.] -- Sir T. Browne.
Polatouche (n.) [F.] (Zool.) A flying squirrel ({Sciuropterus volans) native of Northern Europe and Siberia; -- called also minene.
Polder (n.) [D.] A tract of low land reclaimed from the sea by of high embankments. [Holland & Belgium]
Polder (n.) Low-lying land that has been reclaimed and is protected by dikes (especially in the Netherlands).
Poldway (n.) A kind of coarse bagging, -- used for coal sacks. -- Weale.
Pole (n.) A native or inhabitant of Poland; a Polander.
Pole (n.) A long, slender piece of wood; a tall, slender piece of timber; the stem of a small tree whose branches have been removed; as, specifically:
Pole (n.) (a) A carriage pole, a wooden bar extending from the front axle of a carriage between the wheel horses, by which the carriage is guided and held back.
Pole (n.) (b) A flag pole, a pole on which a flag is supported.
Pole (n.) (c) A Maypole. See Maypole.
Pole (n.) (d) A barber's pole, a pole painted in stripes, used as a sign by barbers and hairdressers.
Pole (n.) (e) A pole on which climbing beans, hops, or other vines, are trained.
Pole (n.) A measuring stick; also, a measure of length equal to 5? yards, or a square measure equal to 30? square yards; a rod; a perch. -- Bacon.
Pole bean (Bot.), Any kind of bean which is customarily trained on poles, as the scarlet runner or the Lima bean.
Pole flounder (Zool.), A large deep-water flounder ({Glyptocephalus cynoglossus), native of the northern coasts of Europe and America, and much esteemed as a food fish; -- called also craig flounder, and pole fluke.
Pole lathe, A simple form of lathe, or a substitute for a lathe, in which the work is turned by means of a cord passing around it, one end being fastened to the treadle, and the other to an elastic pole above.
Pole mast (Naut.), A mast formed from a single piece or from a single tree.
Pole of a lens (Opt.), The point where the principal axis meets the surface.
Pole plate (Arch.), A horizontal timber resting on the tiebeams of a roof and receiving the ends of the rafters.
It differs from the plate in not resting on the wall.
Poled (imp. & p. p.) of Pole.
Poling (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Pole.
Pole (v. t.) To furnish with poles for support; as, to pole beans or hops.
Pole (v. t.) To convey on poles; as, to pole hay into a barn.
Pole (v. t.) To impel by a pole or poles, as a boat.
Pole (v. t.) To stir, as molten glass, with a pole.
Pole (n.) Either extremity of an axis of a sphere; especially, one of the extremities of the earth's axis; as, the north pole.
Pole (n.) (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.
Pole (n.) (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.
Pole (n.) The firmament; the sky. [Poetic]
Shoots against the dusky pole. -- Milton.
Pole (n.) (Geom.) See Polarity, and Polar, n.
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. Poleax
Pole (n.) A long (usually round) rod of wood or metal or plastic.
Pole (n.) A native or inhabitant of Poland.
Pole (n.) One of two divergent or mutually exclusive opinions; "they are at opposite poles"; "they are poles apart."
Pole (n.) A linear measure of 16.5 feet [syn: perch, rod, pole].
Pole (n.) A square rod of land [syn: perch, rod, pole].
Pole (n.) One of two points of intersection of the Earth's axis and the celestial sphere [syn: pole, celestial pole]
Pole (n.) One of two antipodal points where the Earth's axis of rotation intersects the Earth's surface.
Pole (n.) A contact on an electrical device (such as a battery) at which electric current enters or leaves [syn: terminal, pole].
Pole (n.) A long fiberglass sports implement used for pole vaulting.
Pole (n.) One of the two ends of a magnet where the magnetism seems to be concentrated [syn: pole, magnetic pole].
Pole (v.) Propel with a pole; "pole barges on the river"; "We went punting in Cambridge" [syn: punt, pole].
Pole (v.) Support on poles; "pole climbing plants like beans."
Pole (v.) Deoxidize molten metals by stirring them with a wooden pole.
Pole. () A measure of length, equal to five yards and a half. Vide Measure.
Poleax (n.) Alt. of Poleaxe.
Poleaxe (n.) Anciently, a kind of battle-ax with a long handle; later, an ax or hatchet with a short handle, and a head variously patterned; -- used by soldiers, and also by sailors in boarding a vessel.
Polecat (n.) A small European carnivore of the Weasel family (Putorius foetidus). Its scent glands secrete a substance of an exceedingly disagreeable odor. Called also fitchet, foulmart, and European ferret.
Polecat (n.) The zorilla. The name is also applied to other allied species.
Poledavy (n.) A sort of coarse canvas; poldway.
Poleless (a.) Without a pole; as, a poleless chariot.
Polemarch (n.) In
Polemic (a.) 論爭的，好爭論的 Of or pertaining to controversy; maintaining, or involving, controversy; controversial; disputative; as, a polemic discourse or essay; polemic theology.
Polemic (a.) Engaged in, or addicted to, polemics, or to controversy; disputations; as, a polemic writer. -- South.
Polemic (n.) 爭論者；辯論者 One who writes in support of one opinion, doctrine, or system, in opposition to another; one skilled in polemics; a controversialist; a disputant.
The sarcasms and invectives of the young polemic. --Macaulay.
Polemic (n.) 爭論；辯論 A polemic argument or controversy.
Polemic (a.) Of or involving dispute or controversy [syn: polemic, polemical].
Polemic (n.) A writer who argues in opposition to others (especially in theology) [syn: polemicist, polemist, polemic].
Polemic (n.) A controversy (especially over a belief or dogma).
Polemic (n.) [ C ] (Formal) 辯論文章；激烈的爭辯 A piece of writing or a speech in which a person strongly attacks or defends a particular opinion, person, idea, or set of beliefs.
// She has published a fierce anti-war polemic.
Polemical (a.) Polemic; controversial; disputatious. -- Po*lem"ic*al*ly, adv.
Polemical and impertinent disputations. -- Jer. Taylor.
Polemical (a.) Of or involving dispute or controversy [syn: polemic, polemical].
Polemicist (n.) A polemic. [R.]
Polemicist (n.) A writer who argues in opposition to others (especially in theology) [syn: polemicist, polemist, polemic].
Polemics (n.) The art or practice of disputation or controversy, especially on religious subjects; that branch of theological science which pertains to the history or conduct of ecclesiastical controversy.
Polemics (n.) The branch of Christian theology devoted to the refutation of errors.
Polemist (n.) A polemic. [R.]
Polemist (n.) A writer who argues in opposition to others (especially in theology) [syn: polemicist, polemist, polemic].
Polemoniaceous (a.) (Bot.) Of or pertaining to a natural order of plants ({Polemoniaceae), which includes Polemonium, Phlox, Gilia, and a few other genera.
Polemoniaceous (a.) Of or pertaining to or characteristic of plants of the family Polemoniaceae.
Polemonium (n.) (Bot.) A genus of gamopetalous perennial herbs, including the Jacob's ladder and the Greek valerian.
Polemonium (n.) Any plant of the genus Polemonium; most are low-growing often foul-smelling plants of temperate to Arctic regions.
Polemoscope (n.) An opera glass or field glass with an oblique mirror arranged for seeing objects that do not lie directly before the eye; -- called also diagonal opera glass, or side opera glass.
Polemy (n.) Warfare; war; hence, contention; opposition. [Obs.]
Polenta (n.) Pudding made of Indian meal; also, porridge made of chestnut meal. [Italy]
Polenta (n.) A thick mush made of cornmeal boiled in stock or water.
Poler (n.) One who poles.
Poler (n.) An extortioner. See Poller. [Obs.] -- Bacon.
Poler (n.) A draft horse harnessed alongside the shaft or pole of a vehicle [syn: pole horse, poler].
Polestar (n.) Polaris, or the north star. See North star, under North.
Polestar (n.) A guide or director.
Polestar (n.) The brightest star in Ursa Minor; at the end of the handle of the Little Dipper; the northern axis of the earth points toward it [syn: Polaris, North Star, pole star, polar star, polestar].
Polewards (adv.) Toward a pole of the earth.
Polewig (n.) The European spotted goby (Gobius minutus); -- called also pollybait.
Poley (n.) See Poly.
Poley (a.) Without horns; polled.
Polianite (n.) Manganese dioxide, occurring in tetragonal crystals nearly as hard as quartz.
Policate (a.) Same as Pollicate.
Police (n.) A judicial and executive system, for the government of a city, town, or district, for the preservation of rights, order, cleanliness, health, etc., and for the enforcement of the laws and prevention of crime; the administration of the laws and regulations of a city, incorporated town, or borough.
Police (n.) That which concerns the order of the community; the internal regulation of a state.
Police (n.) The organized body of civil officers in a city, town, or district, whose particular duties are the preservation of good order, the prevention and detection of crime, and the enforcement of the laws.
Police (n.) (Mil.) Military police, the body of soldiers detailed to preserve civil order and attend to sanitary arrangements in a camp or garrison.
Police (n.) The cleaning of a camp or garrison, or the state ? a camp as to cleanliness.
Police commissioner, A civil officer, usually one of a board, commissioned to regulate and control the appointment, duties, and discipline of the police.
Police constable, or Police officer, A policeman.
Police court, A minor court to try persons brought before it by the police.
Police inspector, An officer of police ranking next below a superintendent.
Police jury, A body of officers who collectively exercise jurisdiction in certain cases of police, as levying taxes, etc.; -- so called in Louisiana. -- Bouvier.
Police justice, or Police magistrate, A judge of a police court.
Police offenses (Law), Minor offenses against the order of the community, of which a police court may have final jurisdiction.
Police station, The headquarters of the police, or of a section of them; the place where the police assemble for orders, and to which they take arrested persons.
Policed (imp. & p. p.) of Police.
Policing (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Police.
Police (v. t.) To keep in order by police.
Police (v. t.) (Mil.) To make clean; as, to police a camp.
Police (n.) The force of policemen and officers; "the law came looking for him" [syn: police, police force, constabulary, law].
Police (v.) Maintain the security of by carrying out a patrol [syn: patrol, police].
Policed (a.) Regulated by laws for the maintenance of peace and order, enforced by organized administration. "A policed kingdom." -- Howell.
Policemen (n. pl. ) of Policeman.
Policeman (n.) A member of a body of police; a constable.
Policeman (n.) A member of a police force; "it was an accident, officer" [syn: policeman, police officer, officer].
Policeman (n.) [ C ] (A2) 男員警 A male member of a police force.
Policial (a.) Relating to the police. [R.]
Policied (a.) Policed. [Obs.] -- Bacon.
Policied (imp. & p. p.) of Policy.
Policying (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Policy.
Policy (v. t.) To regulate by laws; to reduce to order. [Obs.] "Policying of cities." -- Bacon.
Policy (n.) A ticket or warrant for money in the public funds.
Policy (n.) The writing or instrument in which a contract of insurance is embodied; an instrument in writing containing the terms and conditions on which one party engages to indemnify another against loss arising from certain hazards, perils, or risks to which his person or property may be exposed. See Insurance.
Policy (n.) A method of gambling by betting as to what numbers will be drawn in a lottery; as, to play policy.
Interest policy, A policy that shows by its form that the assured has a real, substantial interest in the matter insured.
Open policy, One in which the value of the goods or property insured is not mentioned.
Policy book, A book to contain a record of insurance policies.
Policy holder, One to whom an insurance policy has been granted.
Policy shop, A gambling place where one may bet on the numbers which will be drawn in lotteries.
Valued policy, One in which the value of the goods, property, or interest insured is specified.
Wager policy, A policy that shows on the face of it that the contract it embodies is a pretended insurance, founded on an ideal risk, where the insured has no interest in anything insured.
Policies (n. pl. ) of Policy.
Policy (n.) Civil polity. [Obs.]
Policy (n.) The settled method by which the government and affairs of a nation are, or may be, administered; a system of public or official administration, as designed to promote the external or internal prosperity of a state.
Policy (n.) The method by which any institution is administered; system of management; course.
Policy (n.) Management or administration based on temporal or material interest, rather than on principles of equity or honor; hence, worldly wisdom; dexterity of management; cunning; stratagem.
Policy (n.) Prudence or wisdom in the management of public and private affairs; wisdom; sagacity; wit.
The very policy of a hostess, finding his purse so far above his clothes, did detect him. -- Fuller.
Policy (n.) Motive; object; inducement. [Obs.]
What policy have you to bestow a benefit where it is counted an injury? -- Sir P. Sidney.
Syn: See Polity.
Policy (n.) A plan of action adopted by an individual or social group; "it was a policy of retribution"; "a politician keeps changing his policies."
Policy (n.) A line of argument rationalizing the course of action of a government; "they debated the policy or impolicy of the proposed legislation."
Policy (n.) Written contract or certificate of insurance; "you should have read the small print on your policy" [syn: policy, insurance policy, insurance].
POLICY, PUBLIC. () By public policy is meant that which the law encourages for the promotion of the public good.
POLICY, PUBLIC. That which is against public policy is generally unlawful. For example, to restrain an individual from marrying, or from engaging in business, when the restraint is general, in the first case, to all persons, and, in the second, to all trades, business, or occupations. But if the restraint be only partial, as that Titius shall not marry Moevia, or that Caius shall not engage in a particular trade in a particular town or, place, the restraint is not against public policy,, and therefore valid. 1 Story, Eq. Jur. Sec. 274. See Newl. Contr. 472.
Poling (n.) The act of supporting or of propelling by means of a pole or poles; as, the poling of beans; the poling of a boat.
Poling (n.) (Gardening) The operation of dispersing worm casts over the walks with poles.
Poling (n.) One of the poles or planks used in upholding the side earth in excavating a tunnel, ditch, etc.
Polish (a.) Of or pertaining to Poland or its inhabitants.
Polish (n.) The language of the Poles.
Polished (imp. & p. p.) of Polish.
Polishing (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Polish.
Polish (v. t.) To make smooth and glossy, usually by friction; to burnish; to overspread with luster; as, to polish glass, marble, metals, etc.
Polish (v. t.) Hence, to refine; to wear off the rudeness, coarseness, or rusticity of; to make elegant and polite; as, to polish life or manners. -- Milton.
To polish off, to finish completely, as an adversary. [Slang] -- W. H. Russell.
Polish (v. i.) To become smooth, as from friction; to receive a gloss; to take a smooth and glossy surface; as, steel polishes well. -- Bacon.
Polish (n.) A smooth, glossy surface, usually produced by friction; a gloss or luster.
Another prism of clearer glass and better polish. -- Sir I. Newton.
Polish (n.) Anything used to produce a gloss.
Polish (n.) Fig.: Refinement; elegance of manners.
This Roman polish and this smooth behavior. -- Addison.
Polish (a.) Of or relating to Poland or its people or culture; "Polish sausage."
Polish (n.) The property of being smooth and shiny [syn: polish, gloss, glossiness, burnish].
Polish (n.) A highly developed state of perfection; having a flawless or impeccable quality; "they performed with great polish"; "I admired the exquisite refinement of his prose"; "almost an
inspiration which gives to all work that finish which is almost art" -- Joseph Conrad [syn: polish, refinement, culture, cultivation, finish].
Polish (n.) A preparation used in polishing.
Polish (n.) The Slavic language of Poland.
Polish (v.) Make (a surface) shine; "shine the silver, please"; "polish my shoes" [syn: polish, smooth, smoothen, shine].
Polish (v.) Improve or perfect by pruning or polishing; "refine one's style of writing" [syn: polish, refine, fine-tune, down].
Polish (v.) Bring to a highly developed, finished, or refined state; "polish your social manners" [syn: polish, round, round off, polish up, brush up].
Polishable (a.) Capable of being polished.
Polished (a.) Made smooth and glossy, as by friction; hence, highly finished; refined; polite; as, polished plate; polished manners; polished verse.
Polished (a.) Perfected or made shiny and smooth; "his polished prose"; "in a freshly ironed dress and polished shoes"; "freshly polished silver" [ant: unpolished].
Polished (a.) Showing a high degree of refinement and the assurance that comes from wide social experience; "his polished manner"; "maintained an urbane tone in his letters" [syn: polished, refined, svelte, urbane].
Polished (a.) (Of grains especially rice) Having the husk or outer layers removed; "polished rice" [syn: milled, polished].
Polished (a.) (Of lumber or stone) To trim and smooth [syn: dressed, polished].
Polishedness (n.) The quality of being polished.
Polisher (n.) One who, or that which, polishes; also, that which is used in polishing. -- Addison.
Polisher (n.) A power tool used to buff surfaces [syn: buffer, polisher].
Polishing () a. & n. from Polish.
Polishing iron, An iron burnisher; esp., a small smoothing iron used in laundries.
Polishing slate. (a) A gray or yellow slate, found in Bohemia and Auvergne, and used for polishing glass, marble, and metals.
Polishing slate. (b) A kind of hone or whetstone; hone slate.
Polishing snake, A tool used in cleaning lithographic stones.
Polishing wheel, A wheel or disk coated with, or composed of, abrading material, for polishing a surface.
Polishing (n.) The work of making something smooth and shiny by rubbing or waxing it; "the shining of shoes provided a meager living"; "every Sunday he gave his car a good polishing" [syn: shining, polishing].
Polishment (n.) The act of polishing, or the state of being polished. [R.]