politic

Etymology

From Middle French politique, from Latin politicus, from Ancient Greek πολιτικός (politikós), from πολίτης (polítēs, “citizen”). Cognate with German politisch (“political”). Doublet of politico.

adj

1. (archaic) Of or relating to polity, or civil government; political.
   the body politic
   […] he with his people made all but one politic body whereof himself was the head 1593, Sir Philip Sidney, The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia
2. (archaic, of things) Relating to, or promoting, a policy, especially a national policy; well-devised; adapted to its end, whether right or wrong.
   a politic treaty
3. (archaic) 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
   The conquerors often had to rest content with merely subduing them. In such cases the victor often found it politic to recognize and worship the god of the vanquished.
4. Shrewd, prudent and expedient.
5. Discreet and diplomatic.
6. Artful, crafty or cunning.

noun

1. (archaic) A politician.
   Swiftly the politic goes; is it dark? he borrows a lantern; / Slowly the statesman and sure, guiding his feet by the stars. 1848, James Russell Lowell, The Complete Poetical Works of James Russell Lowell, Epigrams, 3
   And therefore our politic Asclepius may be supposed to have exhibited the power of his art only to persons who... had a definite ailment. 1871, Benjamin Jowett, chapter III, in Plato: The Republic

verb

1. Alternative spelling of politick
   That why you turned the Kanuyaq Land Trust into the IRS for using donations to politic instead of to buy land? 2002, Dana Stabenow, A Fine and Bitter Snow, page 206
   His brother [Anthony], he politicked him so well, that even his [Jason's] attitude, all the scouts got away from [forgot about] his [bad] attitude because he was a good player. 2009, Scott N. Brooks, Black Men Can't Shoot, page 169
   He made errors, and they should have reversed him, but he politicked the thing through. 2017, John Hayman, Bitter Harvest: Richmond Flowers and the Civil Rights Revolution