pole

Universal Words noun, verb noun 1 a long thin straight piece of wood or metal, especially one with the end placed in the ground, used as a support: a tent / telegraph pole * a ski pole seealsoBARGEPOLE, FLAGPOLE, TOTEMPOLE 2 either of the two points at the opposite ends of the line on which the earth or any other planet turns: the North / South Pole 3 (physics) either of the two ends of a MAGNET, or the positive or negative points of an electric battery 4 either of two opposite or contrasting extremes: Their opinions were at opposite poles of the the debate. IDIOMS be poles apart to be widely separated; to have no interests that you share: Her own friends were poles apart from his. up the pole (old-fashioned, BrE, informal) crazy moreatTOUCHv. verb [VN, V+adv./prep.] to move a boat by pushing on the bottom of a river, etc. with a pole