poll

poll [pōl]

n.

[ME pol < or akin to MDu, top of the head, head]

1. the head; esp., the crown, back, or hair of the head

2. an individual person, esp. one among several

3. a counting, listing, or register of persons, esp. of voters

4. a voting or expression of opinion by individuals

5. the amount of voting; number of votes recorded

☆ 6. [pl.] a place where votes are cast and recorded

7.

☆ a) a canvassing of a selected or random group of people to collect information, or to attempt to discover public opinion

b) a report or record of the results of this

8. the blunt or flat end, as of an ax

vt.

1. to cut off or cut short

2. to cut off or trim the wool, hair, horns, or branches of; specif., to pollard (a tree)

3.

a) to take or register the votes of [to poll a county]

b) to require each member of (a jury, committee, etc.) to declare his or her vote individually

4. to receive (a specified number or proportion of votes)

5. to cast (a vote)

6. to canvass in a POLL (sense 7)

vi.

to vote in an election

poller

n.