/ pəʊl; NAmE poʊl/ noun , verb
■ noun
1.
a long thin straight piece of wood or metal, especially one with the end placed in the ground, used as a support :
a tent pole
a ski pole
a curtain pole
—picture at curtain , gondola
—see also bargepole , flagpole , telegraph pole , totem pole
2.
either of the two points at the opposite ends of the line on which the earth or any other planet turns :
the North / South Pole
3.
( physics ) either of the two ends of a magnet , or the positive or negative points of an electric battery
4.
either of two opposite or contrasting extremes :
Their opinions were at opposite poles of the debate.
•
IDIOMS
- be poles apart
- up the pole
—more at greasy , touch verb
■ verb
[ vn , v + adv. / prep. ] to move a boat by pushing on the bottom of a river, etc. with a pole
••
WORD ORIGIN
verb and noun sense 1 up the pole. late Old English pāl (in early use without reference to thickness or length), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch paal and German Pfahl , based on Latin palus stake.
noun senses 2 to 4 and be poles apart. late Middle English : from Latin polus end of an axis, from Greek polos pivot, axis, sky.