Category:Politic

Pol"i*tic, a. Etym: [l. politicus political, gr. politique. See Police, and cf. epolitical.]

1. Of or pertaining to polity, or civil government; political; as, The body politic. See under body. He with his people made all but one politic body. Sir p. Sidney.

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.

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. Politic with my friend, smooth with mine enemy. Shak.

Syn. -- wise; prudent; sagacious; discreet; provident; wary; artful; Cunning.

Politic Pol`i*tic, n.

Defn: a politician. [archaic] bacon. Swiftly the politic goes; is it dark he borrows a lantern; slowly the Statesman and sure, guiding his feet by the stars. Lowell.