1. polar(s = adj.all) - having a pair of equal and opposite charges;
Derived forms noun polarity2, noun pole8
2. polar(s = adj.all) diametric, diametrical, opposite - characterized by opposite extremes; completely opposed; "in diametric contradiction to his claims"; "diametrical (or opposite) points of view"; "opposite meanings"; "extreme and indefensible polar positions"
Derived forms noun polarity1, noun pole3
3. polar(a = adj.pert) - located at or near or coming from the earth's poles; "polar diameter"; "polar zone"; "a polar air mass"; "Antarctica is the only polar continent"
Derived form noun pole7
4. polar(a = adj.all) - of or existing at or near a geographical pole or within the Arctic or Antarctic Circles; "polar regions"
Antonym: equatorial
Derived form noun pole7
5. polar(s = adj.all) arctic, frigid, gelid, glacial, icy - extremely cold; "an arctic climate"; "a frigid day"; "gelid waters of the North Atlantic"; "glacial winds"; "icy hands"; "polar weather"
6. polar(s = adj.all) pivotal - being of crucial importance; "a pivotal event"; "Its pivotal location has also exposed it to periodic invasions"; "the polar events of this study"; "a polar principal"
1. Of or pertaining to one of the poles of the earth, or of a sphere; situated near, or proceeding from, one of the poles; as, polar regions; polar seas; polar winds. [1913 Webster]
2. Of or pertaining to the magnetic pole, or to the point to which the magnetic needle is directed. [1913 Webster]
3. Pertaining to, reckoned from, or having a common radiating point; as, polar coördinates. [1913 Webster]
The right line drawn through the two points of contact of the two tangents drawn from a given point to a given conic section. The given point is called the pole of the line. If the given point lies within the curve so that the two tangents become imaginary, there is still a real polar line which does not meet the curve, but which possesses other properties of the polar. Thus the focus and directrix are pole and polar. There are also poles and polar curves to curves of higher degree than the second, and poles and polar planes to surfaces of the second degree. [1913 Webster]
polar, 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.
Idiom:
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.
Derivative:
polarly adv.
Etymology:
F polaire or mod.L polaris (as POLE(2))
N summit, summity, top, peak, vertex, apex, zenith, pinnacle, acme, culmination, meridian, utmost height, ne plus utra, height, pitch, maximum, climax, culminating point, crowning point, turning point, turn of the tide, fountain head, water shed, water parting, sky, pole, tip, tip top, crest, crow's nest, cap, truck, nib, end, crown, brow, head, nob, noddle, pate, capsheaf, high places, heights, topgallant mast, sky scraper, quarter deck, hurricane deck, architrave, frieze, cornice, coping stone, zoophorus, capital, epistyle, sconce, pediment, entablature, tympanum, ceiling, attic, loft, garret, house top, upper story, summit conference, summit, peak of achievement, peak of performance, peaks and troughs, peaks and valleys (in graphs), highest &c (high), top, top most, upper most, tiptop, culminating, meridian, meridional, capital, head, polar, supreme, supernal, topgallant, atop, at the top of the tree, en flute, fleur deau.
polar bear, polar body, polar circle, polar coordinate, polar front, polar glacier, polar hare, polar opposition, polar region, polar star, polar zone