Part 380

Po*lem"ic, n. 1. One who writes in support of one opinion, doctrine, or system, in opposition to another; one skilled in polemics; a controversialist; a disputant.

The sarcasms and invectives of the young polemic.

Macaulay.

2. A polemic argument or controversy.

Po*lem"ic*al (?), a. Polemic; controversial; disputatious. -- Po*lem"ic*al*ly, adv.

Polemical and impertinent disputations.

Jer. Taylor.

Po*lem"i*cist (?), n. A polemic. [R.]

Po*lem"ics (?), n. [Cf. F. polÈmique.] The art or practice of disputation or controversy, especially on religious subjects; that branch of theological science which pertains to the history or conduct of ecclesiastical controversy.

Pol"e*mist (?), n. A polemic. [R.]

Pol`e*mo`ni*a"ceous (?), a. (Bot.) Of or pertaining to a natural order of plants (PolemoniaceÊ), which includes Polemonium, Phlox, Gilia, and a few other genera.

||Pol`e*mo"ni*um (?). n. [NL., fr. Gr.&?; a kind of plant.] (Bot.) A ||genus of gamopetalous perennial herbs, including the Jacob's ladder ||and the Greek valerian.

Po*lem"o*scope (?), n. [Gr. &?; war + -scope: cf. F. polÈmoscope.] An opera glass or field glass with an oblique mirror arranged for seeing objects do not lie directly before the eye; -- called also diagonal, or side, opera glass.

Pol"e*my (?), n. [See Polemic.] Warfare; war; hence, contention; opposition. [Obs.]

||Po*len"ta (?), n. [It., fr. L. polenta peeled barley.] Pudding made ||of Indian meal; also, porridge made of chestnut meal. [Italy]

Pol"er (?), n. One who poles.

Pol"er, n. An extortioner. See Poller. [Obs.] Bacon.

Pole"star` (?), n. 1. Polaris, or the north star. See North star, under North.

2. A guide or director.

Pole"wards (?), adv. Toward a pole of the earth. "The regions further polewards." Whewell.

Pole"wig (?), n. [Cf. Polliwig.] (Zoˆl.) The European spotted goby (Gobius minutus); -- called also pollybait. [Prov. Eng.]

Po"ley (?), n. (Bot.) See Poly.

Po"ley, a. Without horns; polled. [Prov. Eng.] "That poley heifer." H. Kingsley.

Po"li*a*nite (?), n. [Gr. &?; to become gray.] (Min.) Manganese dioxide, occurring in tetragonal crystals nearly as hard as quartz.

Pol"i*cate (?), a. (Zoˆl.) Same as Pollicate.

Po*lice" (?), n. [F., fr. L. politia the condition of a state, government, administration, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to be a citizen, to govern or administer a state, fr. &?; citizen, fr. &?; city; akin to Skr. pur, puri. Cf. Policy polity, Polity.] 1. A judicial and executive system, for the government of a city, town, or district, for the preservation of rights, order, cleanliness, health, etc., and for the enforcement of the laws and prevention of crime; the administration of the laws and regulations of a city, incorporated town, or borough.

2. That which concerns the order of the community; the internal regulation of a state.

3. The organized body of civil officers in a city, town, or district, whose particular duties are the preservation of good order, the prevention and detection of crime, and the enforcement of the laws.