I. ˈpō-lər adjective
Etymology: New Latin polaris, from Latin polus pole
Date: 1551
1.
a. : of or relating to a geographic pole or the region around it
b. : coming from or having the characteristics of such a region
c.
(1) : passing over a celestial body's north and south poles
a satellite in a polar orbit
(2) : traveling in a polar orbit
a polar satellite
2. : of or relating to one or more poles (as of a magnet)
3. : serving as a guide
a polar principle
a polar theory
4. : diametrically opposite
polar positions on the issue
5. : exhibiting polarity ; especially : having a dipole or characterized by molecules having dipoles
a polar solvent
6. : resembling a pole or axis around which all else revolves : pivotal
polar events
7. : of, relating to, or expressed in polar coordinates
polar equations
also : of or relating to a polar coordinate system
II. noun
Date: 1848
: a straight line related to a point ; specifically : the straight line joining the points of contact of the tangents from a point exterior to a conic section