# politic

Pronunciation: US say "PAH-luh-tik" /ˈpɑlətɪk/; UK say "POL-uh-tik" /ˈpɒlətɪk/

## Adjective

1. Shrewd and prudent in a way that serves a practical purpose; showing good judgment about what is expedient.
   - Simple: Wise and careful, choosing what works best in a tricky situation.
   - _A politic manager weighs every word before speaking to the board._
   - _She made the politic choice to stay neutral until the votes were counted._
2. Discreet and diplomatic in speech or conduct.
   - Simple: Careful and tactful in what you say, so you do not upset people.
   - _A politic reply let the senator dodge the question without seeming rude._
   - _Her politic handling of the dispute kept both families on good terms._
3. Artful and cunning; crafty in the pursuit of one's aims.
   - Simple: Clever in a sneaky way, using tricks to get what you want.
   - _A politic schemer, he played his rivals against each other._
   - _Their politic maneuvering won the contract through underhanded means._

## Noun

4. A set of political beliefs; the body of political views held by a person or group.
   - Simple: The set of political ideas that a person or group believes in.
   - _The party's politic centered on free trade and small government._
   - _He developed a politic rooted in community organizing._

## Verb

5. Alternative spelling of politick. — Alternative spelling of politick.
   - Simple: Another way to spell politick. It means to take part in political activity.
   - _Lawmakers politic behind closed doors to gather support._
   - _He spent the summer learning how to politic among rural voters._

## Adjective

6. Sagacious in promoting a policy and skilled at devising a system of management; devoted to a scheme rather than a principle, and so, in a good sense, wise and prudent. *(archaic)*
   - Simple: Good at planning and running a system in a clever, wise way.
   - _The politic minister advanced his sovereign's designs with patient cunning._
   - _A politic governor, he ordered the colony's affairs by a careful system._
7. Connected with or helping advance a policy, particularly a national one; effectively planned to serve its purpose, regardless of whether the measure itself is morally right or wrong. *(archaic)*
   - Simple: Made to fit a plan well and reach its goal, whether good or bad.
   - _The alliance was a politic arrangement designed to secure the realm's borders._
   - _Ministers defended the tax as a politic measure suited to the nation's ends._
8. Concerning the state, its form of government, or civil government generally. *(archaic)*
   - Simple: Having to do with government and how a country is run.
   - _The treatise examined the politic order of the ancient republic._
   - _Scholars studied the politic institutions that governed the city-state._

## Noun

9. A politician; one engaged in government or political affairs. *(archaic)*
   - Simple: A person who works in politics or government.
   - _The crafty politic won his seat through flattery and favors._
   - _A seasoned politic, she knew every trick of the council chamber._

## Origin

**Meanings 1–4, 6–9** — From Middle French politique, from Latin politicus, from Ancient Greek politikós, from polítēs ('citizen'). It is related to German politisch ('political') and is a doublet of politico.
**Meaning 5** — A back-formation from politicking.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/politic (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).