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

polar body noun (biology)

One of two small cells detached from the ovum during the maturation divisions

polar cap noun

A polar icecap

polar circle noun

The Arctic or the Antarctic Circle

polar co-ordinates plural noun (mathematics)

Co-ordinates defining a point by means of a radius vector and the angle which it makes with a fixed line through the origin

polar distance noun

Angular distance from the pole

polar equation noun (mathematics)

An equation in terms of polar co-ordinates

polar forces plural noun

Forces that act in pairs and in different directions, as in magnetism

polarity therapy noun

A system of treatment aimed at balancing the elements of the life-force within the body and improving its flow

polarizing filter noun

A filter that allows the passage of light which is polarized in one direction only, used in photography to reduce surface reflections

polarized light microscopy noun

The method of examining thin, transparent materials, esp from rock, using polarized light to reveal birefringence

polar lights plural noun

The aurora borealis or australis

polar star noun

A star near a pole of the heavens, esp Polaris

polar wandering noun

Movement of the magnetic poles and of the poles of the earth's rotation through geological time

• steady state
• steady states
• steady-state theory
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• steal a marriage
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