polis

Etymology 1

Learned borrowing from Ancient Greek πόλις (pólis, “fortified town; city state”).

noun

  1. (historical) A Greek city-state.
    By the end of the century, poleis had been established throughout the Hellenic world, all bearing a marked family resemblance. 2006, Karen Armstrong, The Great Transformation, Atlantic Books 2007, page 161

Etymology 2

Borrowed from Scots polis. Doublet of police.

noun

  1. (uncountable, Scotland, Ireland, Tyneside) The police.
  2. (countable, Scotland, Ireland, Tyneside) A police officer.

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