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Definition of polity - 2 dictionary results

pol⋅i⋅ty

  [pol-i-tee]
Use polity in a Sentence
–noun, plural -ties.
1. a particular form or system of government: civil polity; ecclesiastical polity.
2. the condition of being constituted as a state or other organized community or body: The polity of ancient Athens became a standard for later governments.
3. government or administrative regulation: The colonists demanded independence in matters of internal polity.
4. a state or other organized community or body.
Origin:
1530–40; < L polītīa < Gk polīteía citizenship, government, form of government, commonwealth, equiv. to polte-, var. s. of poltēs citizen (see polis, -ite 1 ) + -ia -ia
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To polity
pol·i·ty   (pŏl'ĭ-tē)   
n.   pl. pol·i·ties

  1. The form of government of a nation, state, church, or organization.

  2. An organized society, such as a nation, having a specific form of government: "His alien philosophy found no roots in the American polity" (New York Times).


[Obsolete French politie, from Old French, from Late Latin polītīa, the Roman government; see police.]
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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