Nearby Words

politic

[pol-i-tik] Example Sentences Origin

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. 2012.
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Politic is always a great word to know.
So is callithumpian. Does it mean:
a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes.
a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison.
Example Sentences
  • Yes, noodle could have been more politic in making this point.
  • Such self-defeating policies may be the symptom of deeper flaws in the body politic.
  • It establishes a new relationship between the body politic and the public.
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Collins
World English Dictionary
politic (ˈpɒlɪtɪk)
 
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
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political. The verb meaning "to engage in political activity" is first recorded 1917, a back formation from politics.
COLLAPSE
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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