Pole

[Fr. pole, It. & Sp. polo, Lat. polus, from Gr. πόλος; a pivot or hinge on which any thing turns, an axis, a pole, from πέλειν, πολεῖν, to turn; Ger., Dan., & Sw. pol, D. pool.]

1. One of the extremities of an axis, on which a sphere revolves.
2. Especially, one of the extremities of the earth’s axis.
3. (Spherics.) A point on 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.
4. (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; the poles of a battery.
5. That part of the heavens about the pole; hence, the heavens, the sky. [Poet.]

Magnetic pole, one of the points on the earth at which the dipping-needle is vertical, or the magnetic intensity greatest.—Pole of maximum cold, one of the points on the earth where the mean annual temperature is lowest, as compared with that of places in all directions around it.—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.