politic

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Related to politic: body politic, Politik

pol·i·tic

(pŏl′ĭ-tĭk)

adj.

Showing sound or pragmatic judgment; prudent; judicious: found it politic not to mention his youthful indiscretions.

[Middle English politik, from Old French politique, from Latin polīticus, political, from Greek polītikos, from polītēs, citizen, from polis, city; see pelə- in Indo-European roots.]

pol′i·tic·ly adv.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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. (Government, Politics & Diplomacy) 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]

ˈpoliticly adv

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

pol•i•tic

(ˈpɒl ɪ tɪk)

adj.

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.

[1375–1425; late Middle English politik < Middle French politique < Latin polīticus < Greek polītikós civic =polit(ēs) citizen (see polity) + -ikos -ic]

pol′i•tic•ly, adv.

syn: See diplomatic.

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

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Adj.	1.	politic - marked by artful prudence, expedience, and shrewdness; "it is neither polite nor politic to get into other people's quarrels"; "a politic decision"; "a politic manager"; "a politic old scoundrel"; "a shrewd and politic reply" diplomatical, diplomatic - using or marked by tact in dealing with sensitive matters or people; "the hostess averted a confrontation with a diplomatic chenage of subject" impolitic - not politic; "an impolitic approach to a sensitive issue"
	2.	politic - smoothly agreeable and courteous with a degree of sophistication; "he was too politic to quarrel with so important a personage"; "the manager pacified the customer with a smooth apology for the error" smooth, suave, bland diplomatical, diplomatic - using or marked by tact in dealing with sensitive matters or people; "the hostess averted a confrontation with a diplomatic chenage of subject"

politic

adjective wise, diplomatic, sensible, discreet, prudent, advisable, expedient, judicious, tactful, sagacious, in your best interests Many people found it politic to change their allegiance.

Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002

politic

adjective

Showing sensitivity and skill in dealing with others:

delicate, diplomatic, discreet, sensitive, tactful.

Translations

politique

saggio

politic

[ˈpɒlɪtɪk] ADJ → prudente

Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

politic

[ˈpɒlɪtɪk] adj (= sensible) → judicieux/euse
it would be politic to ... → il serait judicieux de ...

Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

politic

adj

→ klug; it would be politic to apologize → es wäre (taktisch) klug, sich zu entschuldigen; he tended to do what was politic rather than that which was proper → er machte eher (das), was klug or günstig war, als das, was recht gewesen wäre

the body politic → das Staatswesen, das staatliche Gemeinwesen

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

politic

[ˈpɒlɪtɪk] adj (frm) → prudente

References in classic literature ?

Therefore set it down, that an habit of secrecy, is both politic and moral.

But for the third degree, which is simulation, and false profession; that I hold more culpable, and less politic; except it be in great and rare matters.

View in context

It seems also improper, that one person should execute several offices, which was approved of at Carthage; for one business is best done by one person; and it is the duty of the legislator to look to this, and not make the same person a musician and a shoemaker: so that where the state is not small it is more politic and more popular to admit many persons to have a share in the government; for, as I just now said, it is not only more usual, but everything is better and sooner done, when one thing only is allotted to one person: and this is evident both in the army and navy, where almost every one, in his turn, both commands and is under command.

View in context

The politic captain of the Canadas had deemed it wiser to submit to entertain a passive friend, than by any acts of ill-judged severity to convert him into an open enemy.

This well-judged and politic stroke on the part of Magua was not without instantaneous results.

View in context

"I do it because it's politic; I do it on principle.

View in context

Nor was this their only view, for they believed that the Turks would, by killing us, kindle such an irreconcilable hatred between themselves and our nation as would make it necessary for them to keep us out of the Red Sea, of which they are entirely masters: so that their determination was as politic as cruel.

View in context

The answers plainly is, wars and rebellions; the support of those institutions which are necessary to guard the body politic against these two most mortal diseases of society.

Admitting that we ought to try the novel and absurd experiment in politics of tying up the hands of government from offensive war founded upon reasons of state, yet certainly we ought not to disable it from guarding the community against the ambition or enmity of other nations.

View in context

However useful jealousy may be in republics, yet when like bile in the natural, it abounds too much in the body politic, the eyes of both become very liable to be deceived by the delusive appearances which that malady casts on surrounding objects.

View in context

From which she had attained a very competent skill in politics, and could discourse very learnedly on the affairs of Europe.

You know I don't love to hear you talk about politics; they belong to us, and petticoats should not meddle: but come, who is the man?"--"Marry!" said she, "you may find him out yourself if you please.