pole vs staff

pole

noun
  • Originally, a stick; now specifically, a long and slender piece of metal or (especially) wood, used for various construction or support purposes. 

  • A telescope used to identify birds, aeroplanes or wildlife. 

  • Either of the two points on the earth's surface around which it rotates; also, similar points on any other rotating object. 

  • A construction by which an animal is harnessed to a carriage. 

  • A gun. 

  • Either of the states that characterize a bipolar disorder. 

  • A point of magnetic focus, especially each of the two opposing such points of a magnet (designated north and south). 

  • A fixed point relative to other points or lines. 

  • A type of basic fishing rod. 

  • A long sports implement used for pole-vaulting; now made of glassfiber or carbon fiber, formerly also metal, bamboo and wood have been used. 

  • Pole position. 

  • For a meromorphic function f(z), any point a for which f(z)→∞ as z→a. 

  • A unit of length, equal to a rod (¹⁄₄ chain or 5+¹⁄₂ yards). 

  • A penis. 

  • A contact on an electrical device (such as a battery) at which electric current enters or leaves. 

verb
  • To propel by pushing with poles, to push with a pole. 

  • To furnish with poles for support. 

  • To identify something quite precisely using a telescope. 

  • To convey on poles. 

  • To stir, as molten glass, with a pole. 

  • To strike (the ball) very hard. 

  • To induce piezoelectricity in (a substance) by aligning the dipoles. 

staff

noun
  • A long, straight, thick wooden rod or stick, especially one used to assist in walking. 

  • The grooved director for the gorget, or knife, used in cutting for stone in the bladder. 

  • An arbor, as of a wheel or a pinion of a watch. 

  • A series of verses so disposed that, when it is concluded, the same order begins again; a stanza; a stave. 

  • A pole, stick, or wand borne as an ensign of authority; a badge of office. 

  • The employees of a business. 

  • A pole upon which a flag is supported and displayed. 

  • An establishment of officers in various departments attached to an army, to a section of an army, or to the commander of an army. The general's staff consists of those officers about his person who are employed in carrying his commands into execution. 

  • A mixture of plaster and fibre used as a temporary exterior wall covering.ᵂ 

  • A series of horizontal lines on which musical notes are written; a stave. 

verb
  • To supply (a business, volunteer organization, etc.) with employees or staff members. 

How often have the words pole and staff occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )