An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

1. Either extremity of the axis of the Earth or of any spherical body.
   

2. Either of the two regions or parts of an electric battery, magnet, or the like, at which the magnetic flux density is concentrated.
   

3. → pole of a mirror.
   

4. The fixed point in a system of polar coordinates that serves as the origin.

Etymology (EN): M.E., from L. polus “end of an axis, the sky,” from Gk. polos “pivot, pole,” polein “move around;” from PIE base *kwel- “to turn, move around, sojourn, dwell;” cognate with Pers. carx “every thing performing a circulatory motion; a wheel; a cart;” Av. caxra- “wheel,” caraiti “he moves, approaches;” cf. Skt. cakra- “wheel, circle; cycle,” carati “he moves, wanders;” Gk. kyklos “circle, wheel” (loaned L.L. cyclus); L. colere “to dwell in, to cultivate, move around,” colonus “farmer, settler;” O.E. hweol “wheel;” Rus. koleso “wheel.”

Etymology (PE): Qotb, from Ar. quTb.