Terrestrial poles

Terrestrial poles
Pole Pole, n. [L. polus, Gr. ? a pivot or hinge on which anything turns, an axis, a pole; akin to ? to move: cf. F. p[^o]le.] 1. Either extremity of an axis of a sphere; especially, one of the extremities of the earth's axis; as, the north pole. [1913 Webster]

2. (Spherics) A point upon the surface of a sphere equally distant from every part of the circumference of a great circle; or the point in which a diameter of the sphere perpendicular to the plane of such circle meets the surface. Such a point is called the pole of that circle; as, the pole of the horizon; the pole of the ecliptic; the pole of a given meridian. [1913 Webster]

3. (Physics) One of the opposite or contrasted parts or directions in which a polar force is manifested; a point of maximum intensity of a force which has two such points, or which has polarity; as, the poles of a magnet; the north pole of a needle. [1913 Webster]

4. The firmament; the sky. [Poetic] [1913 Webster]

Shoots against the dusky pole. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

5. (Geom.) See {Polarity}, and {Polar}, n. [1913 Webster]

{Magnetic pole}. See under {Magnetic}.

{Poles of the earth}, or {Terrestrial poles} (Geog.), the two opposite points on the earth's surface through which its axis passes.

{Poles of the heavens}, or {Celestial poles}, the two opposite points in the celestial sphere which coincide with the earth's axis produced, and about which the heavens appear to revolve. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • terrestrial poles — plural noun (geology) The two points diametrically opposite on the earth s surface (cf ↑magnetic poles) • • • Main Entry: ↑terrestrial …   Useful english dictionary

  • Poles of the earth — Pole Pole, n. [L. polus, Gr. ? a pivot or hinge on which anything turns, an axis, a pole; akin to ? to move: cf. F. p[^o]le.] 1. Either extremity of an axis of a sphere; especially, one of the extremities of the earth s axis; as, the north pole.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Poles of the heavens — Pole Pole, n. [L. polus, Gr. ? a pivot or hinge on which anything turns, an axis, a pole; akin to ? to move: cf. F. p[^o]le.] 1. Either extremity of an axis of a sphere; especially, one of the extremities of the earth s axis; as, the north pole.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Celestial poles — Pole Pole, n. [L. polus, Gr. ? a pivot or hinge on which anything turns, an axis, a pole; akin to ? to move: cf. F. p[^o]le.] 1. Either extremity of an axis of a sphere; especially, one of the extremities of the earth s axis; as, the north pole.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • wandering of the poles — Etymology: wandering (I) : the change in position of the terrestrial poles within an area not over 40 feet in diameter caused by slight more or less cyclic shifts of the body of the earth on its rotational axis and resulting in the variation of… …   Useful english dictionary

  • Magnetic poles — Magnetic Mag*net ic, Magnetical Mag*net ic*al, a. [L. magneticus: cf. F. magn[ e]tique.] 1. Pertaining to the magnet; possessing the properties of the magnet, or corresponding properties; as, a magnetic bar of iron; a magnetic needle. [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Peter of Maricourt — (Peter Peregrinus of Maricourt; [Edward Grant, “Peter Peregrinus,” Dictionary of Scientific Biography (New York: Scribners, 1975), 10: 532. Ron B. Thomson, “Peter Peregrinus,” Medieval Science, Technology and Medicine. An Encyclopedia , ed.… …   Wikipedia

  • Magnetic pole — Pole Pole, n. [L. polus, Gr. ? a pivot or hinge on which anything turns, an axis, a pole; akin to ? to move: cf. F. p[^o]le.] 1. Either extremity of an axis of a sphere; especially, one of the extremities of the earth s axis; as, the north pole.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Pole — Pole, n. [L. polus, Gr. ? a pivot or hinge on which anything turns, an axis, a pole; akin to ? to move: cf. F. p[^o]le.] 1. Either extremity of an axis of a sphere; especially, one of the extremities of the earth s axis; as, the north pole. [1913 …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • meridian — n. & adj. n. 1 a circle passing through the celestial poles and zenith of any place on the earth s surface. 2 a a circle of constant longitude, passing through a given place and the terrestrial poles. b the corresponding line on a map. 3 archaic… …   Useful english dictionary

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