Politic

Politic
Politic Pol"i*tic, a. [L. politicus political, Gr. ? belonging to the citizens or to the state, fr.? citizen: cf. F. politique. See {Police}, and cf. {ePolitical}.] 1. Of or pertaining to polity, or civil government; political; as, the body politic. See under {Body}. [1913 Webster]

He with his people made all but one politic body. --Sir P. Sidney. [1913 Webster]

2. Pertaining to, or promoting, a policy, especially a national policy; well-devised; adapted to its end, whether right or wrong; -- said of things; as, a politic treaty. ``Enrich'd with politic grave counsel.'' --Shak. [1913 Webster]

3. Sagacious in promoting a policy; ingenious in devising and advancing a system of management; devoted to a scheme or system rather than to a principle; hence, in a good sense, wise; prudent; sagacious; and in a bad sense, artful; unscrupulous; cunning; -- said of persons. [1913 Webster]

Politic with my friend, smooth with mine enemy. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Syn: Wise; prudent; sagacious; discreet; provident; wary; artful; cunning. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • politic — POLÍTIC, Ă, politici, ce, s.f., adj. I. s.f. 1. Ştiinţa şi practica de guvernare a unui stat; sferă de activitate social istorică ce cuprinde relaţiile, orientările şi manifestările care apar între partide, între categorii şi grupuri sociale,… …   Dicționar Român

  • politic — politic, political The normal adjective in general meanings is political. Apart from its use in the fixed expression body politic, politic is confined to the meaning ‘judicious, expedient’ (with reference to an action) and ‘prudent, sagacious’… …   Modern English usage

  • Politic — Pol i*tic, n. A politician. [Archaic] Bacon. [1913 Webster] Swiftly the politic goes; is it dark? he borrows a lantern; Slowly the statesman and sure, guiding his feet by the stars. Lowell. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • politic — [päl′ə tik΄] adj. [ME polytyk < MFr politique < L politicus < Gr politikos, of a citizen < politēs: see POLICE] 1. POLITICAL: archaic except in BODY POLITIC 2. having practical wisdom; prudent; shrewd; diplomatic 3. crafty;… …   English World dictionary

  • politic — I adjective acute, artful, artfully contrived, astute, astutus, brilliant, calculating, canny, careful, cautious, circumspect, clever, considerate, contemplative, crafty, cunning, deceitful, diplomatic, discreet, effective, efficacious,… …   Law dictionary

  • politic — (adj.) early 15c., from M.Fr. politique (14c.) political, from L. politicus of citizens or the state, civil, civic, from Gk. politikos of citizens or the state, from polites citizen, from polis city (see POLICY (Cf. policy) (1)). Replaced in most …   Etymology dictionary

  • politic — 1 *expedient, advisable Analogous words: practical, *practicable: *possible, feasible, practicable: *shrewd, astute, perspicacious, sagacious 2 diplomatic, bland, smooth, *suave …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • politic — [adj] wise, tactful adroit, advisable, canny*, cool, delicate, diplomatic, discreet, expedient, in one’s best interests*, judicious, on the lookout*, perspicacious, prudent, sagacious, sensible, sharp, shrewd, smooth, tactical, tuned in*, urbane; …   New thesaurus

  • politic — ► ADJECTIVE 1) (of an action) sensible and wise in the circumstances. 2) (also politick) archaic prudent and shrewd. ► VERB (politicked, politicking) often derogatory ▪ engage in political activity. ORIGIN Greek politik …   English terms dictionary

  • politic — adj. (formal) expedient politic to + inf. (it would not be politic to get involved in their affairs) * * * [ pɒlɪtɪk] (formal) [ expedient ] politic to + inf. (it would not be politic to get involved in their affairs) …   Combinatory dictionary

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