Pole vs Tower - What's the difference?

In historical terms the difference between pole and tower

is that pole is a unit of length, equal to a perch (¼ chain or 5½ yards) while tower is a tall fashionable headdress.

In obsolete terms the difference between pole and tower

is that pole is the firmament; the sky while tower is high flight; elevation.

As nouns the difference between pole and tower

is that pole is originally, a stick; now specifically, a long and slender piece of metal or (especially) wood, used for various construction or support purposes while tower is a structure, usually taller than it is wide, often used as a lookout, usually unsupported by guy-wires.

As verbs the difference between pole and tower

is that pole is to propel by pushing with poles, to push with a pole while tower is to be very tall.

pole

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl) pole, pal, from (etyl) .

Noun

(en noun)

Originally, a stick; now specifically, a long and slender piece of metal or (especially) wood, used for various construction or support purposes.

, title= Mr. Pratt's Patients, chapter=1 , passage=For a spell we done pretty well. Then there came a reg'lar terror of a sou'wester same as you don't get one summer in a thousand, and blowed the shanty flat and ripped about half of the weir poles out of the sand.}}

(angling) A type of basic fishing rod.

A long fiberglass sports implement used for pole-vaulting.

(slang, spotting) A telescope used to identify birds, aeroplanes or wildlife.

(historical) A unit of length, equal to a perch (¼ chain or 5½ yards).

(auto racing) Pole position.

(analysis) a singularity that behaves like

\frac{1}{z^n}

z = 0

Synonyms

* See also

Antonyms

* (analysis) root, zero

Derived terms

(terms derived from pole) * flagpole * maypole * poleaxe * pole vault

Verb

(pol)

To propel by pushing with poles, to push with a pole.

Huck Finn poled that raft southward down the Mississippi because going northward against the current was too much work.

To identify something quite precisely using a telescope.

He poled off the serial of the Gulfstream to confirm its identity.

To furnish with poles for support.

to pole beans or hops

To convey on poles.

to pole hay into a barn

To stir, as molten glass, with a pole.

Etymology 2

From (etyl) pole, .

Noun

(en noun)

Either of the two points on the earth's surface around which it rotates; also, similar points on any other rotating object.

A point of magnetic focus, especially each of the two opposing such points of a magnet (designated north and south).

(geometry) A fixed point relative to other points or lines.

(electricity) A contact on an electrical device (such as a battery) at which electric current enters or leaves.

(complex analysis) For a meromorphic function

f(z)

: a point

a

for which

f(z) \rightarrow \infty

z \rightarrow a

The function $f(z) = \frac{1}{z-3}$ has a single pole at $z = 3$ .

(obsolete) The firmament; the sky.

* Milton

shoots against the dusky pole

Antonyms

* (complex analysis) zero

Derived terms

* polar * polarity * dipole * monopole * north pole * south pole * poles apart * polestar, pole star * pole vault

Verb

(pol)

To induce piezoelectricity in (a substance) by aligning the dipoles.

Anagrams

* ----

tower

English

(wikipedia tower)

Alternative forms

* (obsolete)

Etymology 1

From (etyl) torr, from (etyl) turris. Probably influenced by Welsh .

Noun

(en noun)

A structure, usually taller than it is wide, often used as a lookout, usually unsupported by guy-wires.

From the top of the tower we could see far off into the distance.

(figuratively) Any item, such as a computer case, that is usually higher than it is wide.

(informal) An interlocking tower.

(figurative) A strong refuge; a defence.

* Bible, Psalms lxi. 3

Thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.

(historical) A tall fashionable headdress.

* Hudibras

Lay trains of amorous intrigues / In towers , and curls, and periwigs.

(obsolete) High flight; elevation.

(Johnson)

The sixteenth trump or Major Arcana card in many decks, deemed an ill omen.

Synonyms

* donjon

Derived terms

* control tower * guardtower * interlocking tower * radio tower * siege tower * tower of Babel * towers of Hanoi * tower of strength * watchtower * water tower

Verb

To be very tall.

* {{quote-magazine, date=2013-08-03, volume=408, issue=8847, magazine=(The Economist)

, title= Revenge of the nerds , passage=Think of banking today and the image is of grey-suited men in towering skyscrapers. Its future, however, is being shaped in converted warehouses and funky offices in San Francisco, New York and London, where bright young things in jeans and T-shirts huddle around laptops, sipping lattes or munching on free food.}}

To be high or lofty; to soar.

* (William Shakespeare)

My lord protector's hawks do tower so well.

(obsolete) To soar into.

(Milton)

Derived terms

* tower over

Etymology 2

Noun

(en noun)

One who tows.

* 1933 , Henry Sturmey, ?H. Walter Staner, The Autocar

But as the tower and towee reached the cross-roads again, another car, negligently driven, came round the corner, hit the Morris, and severed the tow rope, sending the unfortunate car back again into the shop window