pol·i·tic

[pol-i-tik]
adjective
1.
shrewd or prudent in practical matters; tactful; diplomatic.
2.
contrived in a shrewd and practical way; expedient: a politic reply.
3.
political: the body politic.

Origin:
1375–1425; late Middle English politik < Middle French politique < Latin polīticus < Greek polītikós civic, equivalent to polī́t(ēs) citizen (see polity) + -ikos -ic

pol·i·tic·ly, adverb
o·ver·pol·i·tic, adjective
pre·pol·i·tic, adjective
pseu·do·pol·i·tic, adjective
qua·si-pol·i·tic, adjective

1. politic, political ; 2. politically, politicly.


1. astute, ingenius; wary, discreet. See diplomatic.


1. imprudent; indiscreet, tactless.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source Link To politic
00:10
Politic is always a great word to know.
So is doohickey. Does it mean:
a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison.
a gadget; dingus; thingumbob.
Collins
World English Dictionary
politic (ˈpɒlɪtɪk) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
adj
1.  artful or shrewd; ingenious: a politic manager
2.  crafty or unscrupulous; cunning: a politic old scoundrel
3.  sagacious, wise, or prudent, esp in statesmanship: a politic choice
4.  an archaic word for political
 
[C15: from Old French politique, from Latin polīticus concerning civil administration, from Greek politikos, from politēs citizen, from polis city]
 
'politicly
 
adv

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

politic
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 (1)). Replaced in most adj. senses by
political. The verb meaning "to engage in political activity" is first recorded 1917, a back formation from politics.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
There are all kinds of false dichotomies in the body politic.
Yes, noodle could have been more politic in making this point.
It establishes a new relationship between the body politic and the public.
Such self-defeating policies may be the symptom of deeper flaws in the body politic.
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