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Polity - Dictionary Definition and Overview |
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Polity : (noun)
1: the form of government of a social organization [syn: civil
order]
2: a politically organized unit
3: shrewd or crafty management of public affairs; "we was
innocent of stratagems and polity"
Based on WordNet 2.0
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Polity : \Pol"i*ty\, n.; pl. Polities. [L. politia, Gr. ?: cf.
F. politie. See 1st Policy, Police.]
1. The form or constitution of the civil government of a
nation or state; the framework or organization by which
the various departments of government are combined into a
systematic whole. --Blackstone. Hooker.
2. Hence: The form or constitution by which any institution
is organized; the recognized principles which lie at the
foundation of any human institution.
Nor is possible that any form of polity, much less
polity ecclesiastical, should be good, unless God
himself be author of it. --Hooker.
3. Policy; art; management. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
Syn: Policy.
Usage: Polity, Policy. These two words were originally
the same. Polity is now confined to the structure of a
government; as, civil or ecclesiastical polity; while
policy is applied to the scheme of management of
public affairs with reference to some aim or result;
as, foreign or domestic policy. Policy has the further
sense of skillful or cunning management.
Based on WordNet (r) 2.0 (August 2003)
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