1. adj. a of or near a pole of the earth or a celestial body, or of the celestial sphere. b (of a species or variety) living in the north polar region.
2 having magnetic polarity.
3 a (of a molecule) having a positive charge at one end and a negative charge at the other. b (of a compound) having electric charges.
4 Geom. of or relating to a pole.
5 directly opposite in character or tendency.
Phrases and idioms:
polar bear a white bear, Ursus maritimus, of the Arctic regions. polar body a small cell produced from an oocyte during the formation of an ovum, which does not develop further. polar circle each of the circles parallel to the equator at a distance of 23° 27
Usage:
from either pole. polar coordinates a system by which a point can be located with reference to two angles. polar curve a curve related in a particular way to a given curve and to a fixed point called a pole. polar distance the angular distance of a point on a sphere from the nearest pole. polar star POLESTAR.
Derivatives:
polarly adv.
Etymology: F polaire or mod.L polaris (as POLE(2))