Pole, n.4
Also 6 Poyle, Poole.
[a. Ger. Pole, sing. of Polen, in MHG. Polân, pl. Polâne, a. Polish Poljane lit. field-dwellers, f. pole field.]
† 1. Poland. Obs.
| 1533 Elyot Cast. Helthe (1541) 34 In any other countrey than England, Scotland, Ireland, & Poyle. 1565 Jewel Def. Apol. (1611) 368 Ireland, Poole, Denmarke, Sueden, and Hungarie. 1671 Fraser Polichronicon (S.H.S.) 491 After the peace he went up to Pole with other Scotsshmen. |
2. A native of Poland.
Earlier names were (pl.) Polones [from L.] (1555 Eden Decades 278, 280), Polack, Polander.
| 1656 B. Harris Parival's Iron Age (1659) 308 After many hot charges,..the Poles confusedly fled. a 1715 Burnet Own Time vi. ann. 1697 (1734) II. 196 To distribute Eight Millions of Florins among the Poles. 1840 Penny Cycl. XVIII. 324/1 The emperor Nicholas..exercised the utmost severity against the Poles. |
b. A Poland fowl.
| 1885 Bazaar 30 Mar. 1268/3 Polands. Golden spangled Poles, perfect birds. |
Hence ˈpoless, a female Pole, Polish woman.
| 1828 Carlyle Werner Misc. Ess. 1872 I. 102 A young Poless of the highest personal attractions. |