ˈpoll-ˌevil
Also 7–8 pole-evil.
[f. poll n.1 + evil n. 7 a.]
An inflamed or ulcerous sore between the ligament of the neck of a horse and the atlas or first bone of the neck. Also † fig., an obsession with elections.
| 1607 Topsell Four-f. Beasts (1658) 280 The Poll evill..is a disease like a Fistula growing betwixt the ears [of a horse] and the poll or nape of the neck. 1683 Lond. Gaz. No. 1883/4 She hath the Pole-Evil, and there are white Spots in the place. 1741 Compl. Fam.-Piece iii. 451 To cure the Poll-Evil, and swell'd Neck from bleeding. 1755 Pennsylvania Gaz. 14 Aug. 3/2 They took with them a large bay horse, that has the pole-evil. 1794 J. Byng Torrington Diaries (1938) IV. 76 Sir G. at present is plagued by the pollevil—reverting to the past election with all the possibilities of a future one. 1831 Youatt Horse 153 Now comes the whole art of treating the poll-evil. 1873 J. H. Beadle Undevel. West xxvi. 565, I..reined up my horse suddenly and again butted him in the back of the head, at the imminent risk of giving us both the poll-evil. 1970 Miller & West Black's Vet. Dict. (ed. 9) 730/2 ‘Poll evil’ is an old, colloquial name sometimes incorrectly applied to any swelling in the poll region. |