POLAR

, something that relates to the poles of the world: as polar virtue, polar tendency.

Polar Circles, are two lesser circles of the sphere, or globe, one round each pole, and at the same distance from it as is equal to the sun's greatest declination or the obliquity of the ecliptic; that is, at present 23° 28′.—The space included within each polar circle, is the frigid zone; and to every part of this space, the sun never sets at some time of the year, and never rises at another time; each of these being a longer duration as the place is nearer the pole.

Polar Dials, are such as have their planes parallel to some great circle passing through the poles, or to some one of the hour-circles; so that the pole is neither elevated above the plane, nor depressed below it.—This dial, therefore, can have no centre; and consequently its style, substyle, and hour-lines, are parallel.—This will therefore be an horizontal dial to those who live at the equator.

Polar Projection, is a representation of the earth, or heavens, projected on the plane of one of the polar circles.

Polar Regions, are those parts of the earth which <*>ie near the north and south poles.

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Entry taken from A Mathematical and Philosophical Dictionary, by Charles Hutton, 1796.

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PLUS
PLUVIAMETER
PNEUMATICS
POINT
POINTING
* POLAR
POLARITY
POLES
POLEMOSCOPE
POLLUX
POLYACOUSTICS