smoke poles

Noun

smoke pole (plural smoke poles)

1. The central, vertical pole of a teepee.
   • A little cross stick is tied to the smoke pole of the four-pole tipi where it is secured to the flap to prevent its going through too far. The cover for a four-pole tipi is cut quite differently from that for a three-pole one.1989, Reginald Laubin, Gladys Laubin, Stanley Vestal, The Indian tipi: its history, construction, and use
2. A ridgepole.
   • These rafters are connected at the top by a round bar, the smoke pole, which also serves to take the hooks on which the cooking pots are suspended.1962, Ørnulv Vorren, Ernst Mauritz Manker, Lapp Life and Customs: A Survey, page 44
3. (slang) A firearm.
   • Drawing a deep, steadying breath, Barefoot smelled the machine oil of the well-kept smoke pole. His very first shot put an immediate stop to Swann's barraging of Jessie.1994, Wesley Ellis, Lone Star 144/sierra, →ISBN
4. A long stick or pole with a burning tip, used to repel insects.
   • I separate my swarms with my smoke-pole, holding It near the swarm already settled, which will prevent others from settling.1885, Gleanings in bee culture, volume 13

See all 5 meanings of smoke pole