Syn. -- Policy. -- Polity, Policy. These two words were originally the
same. Polity is now confined to the structure of a government; as,
civil or ecclesiastical polity; while policy is applied to the scheme
of management of public affairs with reference to some aim or result;
as, foreign or domestic policy. Policy has the further sense of
skillful or cunning management.
Po*litz`er*i*za"tion (?), n. (Med.) The act of inflating the middle ear
by blowing air up the nose during the act of swallowing; -- so called
from Prof. Politzer of Vienna, who first practiced it.
Pol"ive (?), n. A pulley. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Pol"ka (?), n. [Pol. Polka a Polish woman: cf. F. & G. polka.] 1. A
dance of Polish origin, but now common everywhere. It is performed by
two persons in common time.
2. (Mus.) A lively Bohemian or Polish dance tune in 2-4 measure, with
the third quaver accented.
Polka jacket, a kind of knit jacket worn by women.
Poll (?), n. [From Polly, The proper name.] A parrot; -- familiarly so
called.
Poll, n. [Gr. &?; the many, the rabble.] One who does not try for
honors, but is content to take a degree merely; a passman. [Cambridge
Univ., Eng.]
Poll (?), n. [Akin to LG. polle the head, the crest of a bird, the top
of a tree, OD. pol, polle, Dan. puld the crown of a hat.] 1. The head;
the back part of the head. "All flaxen was his poll." Shak.
2. A number or aggregate of heads; a list or register of heads or
individuals.
We are the greater poll, and in true fear They gave us our demands.
Shak.
The muster file, rotten and sound, upon my life, amounts not to
fifteen thousand poll.
Shak.
3. Specifically, the register of the names of electors who may vote in
an election.
4. The casting or recording of the votes of registered electors; as,
the close of the poll.
All soldiers quartered in place are to remove . . . and not to
return till one day after the poll is ended.
Blackstone.
5. pl. The place where the votes are cast or recorded; as, to go to the
polls.