Word: policy Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Middle English policie, from Old French policie, pollicie and police, from Late Latin politia (“citizenship; government”), classical Latin polītīa (in Cicero), from Ancient Greek πολιτεία (politeía, “citizenship; polis, (city) state; government”), from πολίτης (polítēs, “citizen”). Doublet of police, polis (“police”), and polity. Pronunciation: /ˈpɒl.ə.si/, /ˈpɒl.ɪ.si/, /ˈpɑ.lə.si/, /ˈpɑl.si/, /ˈpɔl.ə.si/ 1. A principle of behaviour, conduct which an entity (government, organization, etc.) applies or seeks to follow, especially as formally expressed by an authoritative body. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: The Communist Party has a policy of returning power to the workers. Example: It's company policy that all mobile phones are forbidden in meetings. 2. A document describing such a policy. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: Please print extra copies of this policy and post them where it will be easy for everyone to see. 3. Wise, advantageous, or politic conduct; prudence, formerly also with connotations of craftiness. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: [H]e [Richard I of England] was diſcovered in an inne in Auſtria, becauſe he diſguiſed his perſon not his expenſes; ſo that the very policie of an hoſteſſe, finding his purſe ſo farre above his clothes, did detect him: […] Example: These bitter accusations might have been suppressed, had I with greater policy concealed my struggles, and flattered you into the belief of my being impelled by unqualified, unalloyed inclination; […] 4. Specifically, political shrewdness or (formerly) cunning; statecraft. Labels: archaic, countable, uncountable Example: I, 'policie? that's their profession, And not simplicity, as they suggest. Example: Whether he believed himself a god, or only took on the attributes of divinity from motives of policy, is a question for the psychologist, since the historical evidence is indecisive. 5. The grounds of a large country house. Labels: Scotland, countable, in-plural, uncountable Example: 1775, Samuel Johnson, A Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland section on Aberbrothick Now and then about a gentleman’s house stands a small plantation, which in Scotch is called a policy, but of these there are few, and those few all very young. Example: There was but one thing happened worth narrating; and that is the visit I had of Robin Oig, one of the sons of the notorious Rob Roy. He was sought upon all sides on a charge of carrying a young woman from Balfron and marrying her (as was alleged) by force; yet he stepped about Balquhidder like a gentleman in his own walled policy. 6. The art of governance; political science. Labels: countable, obsolete, uncountable Example: Liſt his diſcourse of Warre; and you ſhall heare / A fearefull Battaile rendred you in Muſique. / Turne him to any Cauſe of Pollicy, / The Gordian Knot of it he will vnlooſe, / Familiar as his Garter: […] 7. A state; a polity. Labels: countable, obsolete, uncountable 8. A set political system; civil administration. Labels: countable, obsolete, uncountable 9. A trick; a stratagem. Labels: countable, obsolete, uncountable Example: Tis pollicie and ſtratageme muſt doo / That you affect, and ſo muſt you reſolue, / That vvhat you cannot as you vvould atchiue, / You muſt perforce accompliſh as you may: […] 10. Motive; object; inducement. Labels: countable, obsolete, uncountable Example: I pray you (said he) honest men, what such right have you in me, as not to suffer me to doe with my self what I list? and what pollicie have you to bestow a benefite where it is counted an injury?