- Polities
- Polity Pol"i*ty, n.; pl. {Polities}. [L. politia, Gr. ?: cf.
F. politie. See 1st {Policy}, {Police}.]
1. The form or constitution of the civil government of a
nation or state; the framework or organization by which
the various departments of government are combined into a
systematic whole. --Blackstone. Hooker.
[1913 Webster]
2. Hence: The form or constitution by which any institution is organized; the recognized principles which lie at the foundation of any human institution. [1913 Webster]
Nor is possible that any form of polity, much less polity ecclesiastical, should be good, unless God himself be author of it. --Hooker. [1913 Webster]
3. Policy; art; management. [Obs.] --B. Jonson. [1913 Webster]
Syn: Policy.
Usage: {Polity}, {Policy}. These two words were originally the same. Polity is now confined to the structure of a government; as, civil or ecclesiastical polity; while policy is applied to the scheme of management of public affairs with reference to some aim or result; as, foreign or domestic policy. Policy has the further sense of skillful or cunning management. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.