contamination: The contamination of the sea around Capri may be just the beginning.
waste: Up to 10 million tonnes of toxic wastes are produced every year in the U.K…
impurity: The air in the factory is filtered to remove impurities.
polo /poʊ loʊ/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Polo is a game played between two teams of players. The players ride horses and use wooden hammers with long handles to hit a ball.
2 → see also water polo
po lo neck (polo necks ) also polo-neck N‑COUNT A polo neck or a polo neck sweater is a sweater with a high neck which folds over. [BRIT ] in AM, use turtleneck
po lo shirt (polo shirts ) N‑COUNT A polo shirt is a soft short-sleeved piece of clothing with a collar, which you put on over your head.
pol|ter|geist /pɒ ltə r ga I st, [AM ] poʊ l-/ (poltergeists ) N‑COUNT A poltergeist is a ghost or supernatural force which is believed to move furniture or throw objects around.
poly /pɒ li/ (polys ) N‑COUNT [oft in names] A poly is the same as a polytechnic . [mainly BRIT , INFORMAL ]
PREFIX poly-
forms nouns and adjectives that have many as part of their meaning. For example, polygamy is the custom in some societies of being married to more than one person at the same time.
poly|es|ter /pɒ lie stə r , [AM ] -es-/ (polyesters ) N‑VAR Polyester is a type of artificial cloth used especially to make clothes. □ …a green polyester shirt.
poly|eth|yl|ene /pɒ lie θ I liːn/ N‑UNCOUNT Polyethylene is a type of plastic made into thin sheets or bags and used especially to keep food fresh or to keep things dry. [mainly AM ] in BRIT, usually use polythene
po|lyga|mous /pəl I gəməs/ ADJ In a polygamous society, people can be legally married to more than one person at the same time. A polygamous person, especially a man, is married to more than one person. □ There is growing concern that wives in polygamous marriages are unaware that they have no legal rights.
po|lyga|my /pəl I gəmi/ N‑UNCOUNT Polygamy is the custom in some societies in which someone can be legally married to more than one person at the same time.
poly|glot /pɒ liglɒt/ (polyglots )
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Polyglot is used to describe something such as a book or society in which several different languages are used. [FORMAL ] □ …Chicago's polyglot population.
2 N‑COUNT A polyglot is a person who speaks or understands many languages.
poly|graph /pɒ ligrɑːf, -græf/ (polygraphs ) N‑COUNT A polygraph or a polygraph test is a test which is used by the police to try to find out whether someone is telling the truth. □ Hill's lawyers announced she had taken and passed a polygraph test.
poly|mer /pɒ l I mə r / (polymers ) N‑COUNT A polymer is a chemical compound with large molecules made of many smaller molecules of the same kind. Some polymers exist naturally and others are produced in laboratories and factories.
pol|yp /pɒ l I p/ (polyps )
1 N‑COUNT A polyp is a small unhealthy growth on a surface inside your body, especially inside your nose.
2 N‑COUNT A polyp is a small animal that lives in the sea. It has a hollow body like a tube and long parts called tentacles around its mouth.
poly|pro|pyl|ene /pɒ liprɒ p I liːn/ N‑UNCOUNT Polypropylene is a strong, flexible artificial material that is used to make things such as rope, carpet, and pipes.
poly|sty|rene /pɒ l I sta I riːn/ N‑UNCOUNT Polystyrene is a very light plastic substance used to make containers or to keep things warm, cool, or protected from damage. □ …polystyrene cups.
poly|tech|nic /pɒ l I te kn I k/ (polytechnics )
1 N‑VAR [oft in names] In Britain, a polytechnic was a college where you could go after leaving school in order to study academic subjects up to degree level, or to train for particular jobs. In 1992, all the polytechnics in Britain became universities.
2 N‑VAR [oft in names] In the United States, polytechnic is the former name for a school, college, or university which specialized in courses in science and technology.
poly|thene /pɒ l I θiːn/ N‑UNCOUNT Polythene is a type of plastic made into thin sheets or bags and used especially to keep food fresh or to keep things dry. [mainly BRIT ] □ Simply put them into a polythene bag and store them in the freezer for a day. in AM, usually use polyethylene
poly|un|satu|rate /pɒ liʌnsæ tʃʊrət/ (polyunsaturates ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Polyunsaturates are types of animal or vegetable fats which are used to make cooking oil and margarine. They are thought to be less harmful to your body than other fats.
poly|un|satu|rat|ed /pɒ liʌnsæ tʃʊre I t I d/ ADJ Polyunsaturated oils and margarines are made mainly from vegetable fats and are considered healthier than those made from animal fats. □ Use polyunsaturated spread instead of butter.
poly|urethane /pɒ lijʊə rəθe I n/ (polyurethanes ) N‑VAR Polyurethane is a plastic material used especially to make paint or substances which prevent water or heat from passing through. □ …polyurethane varnish.
pom /pɒ m/ (poms ) N‑COUNT A pom is the same as a pommy .
pom|egran|ate /pɒ m I græn I t/ (pomegranates ) N‑VAR A pomegranate is a round fruit with a thick reddish skin. It contains lots of small seeds with juicy flesh around them.
pom|mel /pʌ m ə l, pɒ m-/ (pommels ) N‑COUNT A pommel is the part of a saddle that rises up at the front, or a knob that is fixed there.
pom|my /pɒ mi/ (pommies ) also pommie N‑COUNT A pommy is an English person. This use could cause offence. [mainly AUSTRALIAN , INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ]
pomp /pɒ mp/ N‑UNCOUNT Pomp is the use of a lot of ceremony, fine clothes, and decorations, especially on a special occasion. □ …the pomp and splendour of the English aristocracy.