pole-plate

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. In building, a small wall-plate resting on the ends of the tie-beams of a roof, and supporting the lower ends of the common rafters.
2. n. One of the masses or spheres of achromatic substance at the poles of the mitotic spindle in dividing protozoa. The pole-plates probably represent the attraction-spheres of other animals. Also called end-plates.