Category:Polarity

Po*lar"i*ty, n. Etym: [cf. F. polarité.]

1. (physics)

Defn: that quality or condition of a body in virtue of which it Exhibits opposite, or contrasted, properties or powers, in opposite, Or contrasted, parts or directions; or a condition giving rise to a Contrast of properties corresponding to a contrast of positions, as, For example, attraction and repulsion in the opposite parts of a Magnet, the dissimilar phenomena corresponding to the different sides Of a polarized ray of light, etc.

2. (geom.)

Defn: a property of the conic sections by virtue of which a given Point determines a corresponding right line and a given right line Determines a corresponding point. See polar, n.