Polled

Part of speech: verb

Pronunciation: /pəʊld/

Definitions

1. To have gathered opinions or votes from a group | To have surveyed individuals about their preferences or choices | To have collected data through questioning a population regarding specific topics
2. To have conducted a survey or inquiry to gather opinions | To have sought feedback or votes from a specified group | To have amassed responses or data through questioning individuals on particular subjects
3. To have solicited feedback and opinions from a designated group | To have executed an inquiry to accumulate responses from individuals | To have performed a data collection effort through questioning a population about certain issues

Etymology: The verb formed from the root "poll" has its origins in the Middle Ages, where "poll" originally referred to the head or the top of something. This sense comes from the Old English word "poll," which meant the head or a rounded top, related to the notion of "polling" or cutting off the top of something. The practice of cutting hair or trimming the top of a head gave rise to the verb form, where to "poll" meant to shear or cut hair, especially on the head. By the late Middle Ages and into Early Modern English, the verb evolved to mean the act of cutting off or trimming, not just hair but also the tops of plants or trees. This usage extended metaphorically and practically, such as "polling" sheep, which referred to removing their horns, or "polling" livestock, meaning to remove or trim parts for management or aesthetic reasons. Thus, the term came to signify the act of removing or cutting the uppermost part of something. The past tense "polled" naturally follows from this verb. As a participle form, it is used to indicate that the action of cutting or trimming has been completed. The pronunciation /pəʊld/ reflects the typical English past tense suffix "-ed," which here is pronounced as a simple /d/ sound following a voiced consonant. Interestingly, the noun "poll" also developed a separate meaning related to counting heads or votes. This sense originated from the practice of counting heads in a group, especially for voting purposes, but this is distinct from the cutting or shearing sense that gave rise to the verb "polled." The divergence of meanings illustrates how one root word can branch into different specialized usages over time. In summary, the verb form and its past tense capture a history tied to physical trimming or cutting of the top or head of something, a practical term born from everyday agricultural and grooming practices in medieval England.

Synonyms: surveyed, asked, queried, interviewed, examined

Antonyms: ignored, disregarded