Meaning
A survey of people, usually statistically analyzed to gauge wider public opinion.
Etymology
Origin: Middle English
From Middle English pol, polle ("scalp, pate"), from or cognate with Middle Dutch pol, pōle, polle (“top, summit; head”), from Proto-West Germanic *poll, from Proto-Germanic *pullaz (“round object, head, top”), from Proto-Indo-European *bolno-, *bōwl- (“orb, round object, bubble”), from Proto-Indo-European *bew- (“to blow, swell”). Akin to Scots pow (“head, crown, scalp, skull”), Saterland Frisian pol (“round, full, brimming”, adjective), German Low German Polle, Poll (“round object, ball”), German Low German Poller (“head, tree-top, bulb”), Danish puld (“crown of a hat”), Swedish dialectal pull (“head”). Meaning "collection of votes" is first recorded 1625, from the notion of "counting heads".
Synonyms & Antonyms
NYT Puzzle Appearances
Accepted in 25 recorded puzzles:
- 2026-09-24PABELOW
- 2026-07-07PABDLOR
- 2026-04-25OENIHLP
- 2026-02-17PGWONIL
- 2026-01-14OPALCBE
- 2025-07-20PGOLINT
- 2025-07-11OAPFELW
- 2025-06-28OAPLGNY
- 2025-06-02OCMEILP
- 2025-05-22PTAOHCL
- 2025-05-16PWBOIEL
- 2025-05-05PAOMLNR
+13 earlier appearances in the archive.