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Definition of politic - 3 dictionary results

pol⋅i⋅tic

  [pol-i-tik]
Use politic in a Sentence
–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 ME politik < MF politique < L polīticus < Gk polītikós civic, equiv. to polt(ēs) citizen (see polity ) + -ikos -ic

Related forms:
pol⋅i⋅tic⋅ly, adverb

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

Antonyms:
1. imprudent; indiscreet, tactless.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To politic
pol·i·tic   (pŏl'ĭ-tĭk)   
adj.  

  1. Using or marked by prudence, expedience, and shrewdness; artful.

  2. Using, displaying, or proceeding from policy; judicious: a politic decision.

  3. Crafty; cunning.


[Middle English politik, from Old French politique, from Latin polīticus, political, from Greek polītikos, from polītēs, citizen, from polis, city; see pelə-3 in Indo-European roots.]
pol'i·tic·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

politic  (adj.)
1427, 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 (1551). The verb meaning "to engage in political activity" is first recorded 1917, a back-formation from politics.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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