polar /pōˈlər/

1. Of, or relating to, a pole (see pole¹) or poles
2. Belonging to the neighbourhood of a pole
3. Referred to a pole
4. Of the nature of, or analogous to, a pole
5. Axial
6. Having polarity
7. Directly opposed
8. Having a dipole (chem)

The locus of the harmonic conjugate of a fixed point or pole with respect to the points in which a transversal through it cuts a circle or other conic

polarimˈeter noun

An instrument for measuring the rotation of the plane of polarization of light, or the amount of polarization of light

polarimetric /pō-lə-ri-metˈrik/ adjective

polarimetry /pō-lə-rimˈi-tri/ noun

Polaris /pō-läˈris/ noun

1. The Pole Star
2. A submarine-launched ballistic missile

polariscope /pō-larˈi-skōp/ noun

An instrument for showing phenomena of polarized light

polarity /pō-larˈi-ti/ noun

1. The state of having two opposite poles
2. The condition of having properties different or opposite in opposite directions or at opposite ends
3. The tendency to develop differently in different directions along an axis, as a plant towards base and apex, some animals towards head and tail
4. Particular relation to this or that pole or opposed property rather than the other
5. Directedness (figurative)

polarization or polarisation /pō-lə-rī-zāˈshən/ noun

1. An act of polarizing
2. The state of being polarized
3. Development of poles
4. Loosely, polarity
5. The effect of deposition of products of electrolysis upon electrodes, resulting in an opposing electromotive force
6. The separation of the positive and negative charges of a molecule by an external agent (chem)
7. The restriction (according to the wave theory) of the vibrations of light to one plane
8. Opposedness or doubleness of aspect or tendency

polarize or polarise /pōˈlə-rīz/ transitive verb

1. To subject to polarization
2. To give polarity to
3. To develop new qualities or meanings in (figurative)
4. To split into opposing camps (also intransitive verb)

To acquire polarity

poˈlarized or poˈlarised adjective

poˈlarīzer or poˈlarīser noun

A device for polarizing light

polarographˈic adjective

polarogˈraphy noun

A technique for determining the concentration and nature of the ions in a solution by an electrolytic process in which the current through the cell is measured as a function of the applied voltage

Poˈlaroid® adjective

A trademark applied to photographic equipment, light-polarizing materials, etc

A photograph taken using a Polaroid camera

poˈlaron noun (electronics)

A free electron trapped by polarization charges on surrounding molecules

polar axis noun (astronomy)

1. That diameter of a sphere which passes through the poles
2. In an equatorial telescope, the axis, parallel to the earth's axis, about which the whole instrument revolves in order to keep a celestial object in the field

polar bear noun

A large white bear found in the Arctic regions

• near touch
• near-white
• neat
• neat-cattle
• neaten
• neatened
• neatening
• neatens
• neater
• neatest
• 'neath
• neath
• neat-handed
• neat-herd
• neat-herds
• neat-house
• neat-houses
• neatly
• neatness
• neatnesses
• neat's-foot oil
• neat's leather
• neat-stall
• neat-stalls
• neb