E. Cobham Brewer 18101897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Polarisation of Light
is the absorption of those rays which are at right angles to the rays preserved: Thus A B \??\ is one ray in which A is reflected to B and B to A; C D is a ray, in which C is reflected to D and D to C. In E G F H, if the light is polarised, either E F or G H is absorbed. A B and C D are the poles of light, or the directions in which the rays are reflected.