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Pole

1. A unit of length or area equal to one linear rod or one square rod, commonly used in land surveys. The terms, rod, pole, and perch are equivalent and may be used interchangeably, although "rod" is the most common. One (1) pole is equal to 25 links, 16.5 feet, or 1/4 (0.25) chain. For conversions and examples, see Rod, pole, or perch equivalents and conversions and the various Converting rods, poles, or perches to... entries.
2. A roundwood product used primarily for structural support. Tree species used for poles are selected for resistance to weather, wear, and mechanical stress and include lodgepole pine, Douglas-fir, western hemlock, and a variety of southern pines.
3. Term applied to trees that have too small a diameter to be considered sawlogs, but are useful as structural supports, flagpoles, etc.
4. The end of an axis, as in poles of the earth or of cellular mitotic spindles in plants and animals.
5. Either of two opposing parts, forces, or situations, as in magnets, batteries, or opinions.

Added: Thu Jan 10 2008
Last Modified: Mon Apr 28 2008

Related Terms

Rod Survey Perch Link Feet (ft) Chain - Gunter's or surveyor's Rod, pole, or perch equivalents and conversions Diameter at breast height (dbh) Sawlog Converting rods, poles, or perches to feet (ft) Converting rods, poles, or perches to meters (m) Converting rods, poles, or perches to chains Converting rods, poles, or perches to links Converting rods, poles, or perches to yards Converting rods, poles, or perches to miles Converting rods, poles or perches to inches (in) Converting rods, poles, or perches to kilometers (km) Converting rods, poles, or perches to furlongs Converting rods, poles, or perches to centimeters (cm)

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