politic
/ˈpɑ.lɪ.tɪk/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.79 in modern English
11
Scrabble Score
7
Letters
3
Syllables
6
Unique Chars
Meaning
adj
Relating to, or promoting, a policy, especially a national policy; well-devised; adapted to its end, whether right or wrong.
Archaic
adj
Sagacious in promoting a policy; ingenious in devising and advancing a system of management; devoted to a scheme or system rather than to a principle; hence, in a good sense, wise; prudent; sagacious
Archaic
adj
Discreet and diplomatic.
Example Sentences
- "the body politic"
- "[H]e with his people made all but one politic body whereof himself was the head"
- "a politic treaty"
- "For then this land was famously enrich'd / With politic grave counsel"
- "I have been politic with my friend, smooth with mine enemy"
- "But as he headed for the front of the line one of his minders whispered that it might be politic to go to the back."
Etymology
From Middle French politique, from Latin polīticus, from Ancient Greek πολιτικός (politikós), from πολίτης (polítēs, “citizen”). Cognate with German politisch (“political”). Doublet of politico.
Origin
Word Breakdown
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˈpɑ.lɪ.tɪk/
- British English: /ˈpɒl.ɪ.tɪk/
Usage
Inflected Forms
more politic (comparative)
most politic (superlative)
politick (alternative, obsolete)
politics (plural)
politics (present, singular)
politicking (participle, present)
politicked (participle, past)
politicked (past)