n. - art or work of a poet.

- poems collectively.

- poetic or tenderly pleasing quality. [medieval latin: related to *poet]

n. Organized massacre (orig. Of jews in russia). [russian]

adj. - a composed, self-assured. B carrying oneself gracefully or with dignity.

- (often foll. By for, or to + infin.) Ready for action.

ivy n. N. American climbing plant secreting an irritant oil from its leaves.

- —n. - substance that when introduced into or absorbed by a living organism causes death or injury, esp. One that kills by rapid action even in a small quantity.

- colloq. Harmful influence. —v. - administer poison to.

- kill, injure, or infect with poison.

- treat (a weapon) with poison.

- corrupt or pervert (a person or mind).

- spoil or destroy (a person's pleasure etc.). poisoner n. Poisonous adj. [latin: related to *potion]

n. Piece of land reclaimed from the sea or a river, esp. In the netherlands. [dutch]

(brit. -axe) —n. - hist. = *battleaxe 1.

- butcher's axe. —v. (-xing) 1 hit or kill with a poleaxe.

- (esp. As poleaxed adj.) Colloq. Dumbfound, overwhelm. [low german or dutch: related to *poll, *axe]

constable see *constable.

- dog n. Dog, esp. An alsatian, used in police work.

- force n. Body of police of a country, district, or town.

- officer n. Member of a police force.

- state n. Totalitarian state controlled by political police.

- station n. Office of a local police force.

- —n. (as pl.) 1 (usu. Prec. By the) the civil force responsible for maintaining public order.

- its members.

- force with similar functions (military police). —v. (-cing) 1 keep (a place or people) in order by means of police or a similar body.

- provide with police.

- keep in order, administer, control (problem of policing the new law). [latin: related to *policy1]

n. (pl. -ies) 1 course of action adopted by a government, business, individual, etc.

- prudent conduct; sagacity. [latin politia *polity]

- n. (pl. -ies) 1 contract of insurance.

- document containing this. [french police, ultimately from greek apodeixis proof]

—adj. - of poland.

- of the poles or their language. —n. Language of poland.

- —v. (often foll. By up) 1 make or become smooth or glossy by rubbing.

- (esp. As polished adj.) Refine or improve; add the finishing touches to. —n. - substance used for polishing.

- smoothness or glossiness produced by friction.

- refinement, elegance. polish off finish (esp. Food) quickly. [latin polio]

adj. (politer, politest) 1 having good manners; courteous.

- cultivated, refined. politely adv. Politeness n. [latin politus: related to *polish]