Pol"i*tic (?), a. [L. politicus
political, Gr. &?; belonging to the citizens or to the state, fr.&?;
citizen: cf. F. politique. See Police, and cf.
ePolitical.] 1. Of or pertaining to
polity, or civil government; political; as, the body politic.
See under Body.
He with his people made all but one politic
body.
Sir P. Sidney.
2. Pertaining to, or promoting, a policy,
especially a national policy; well-devised; adapted to its end,
whether right or wrong; -- said of things; as, a politic
treaty. "Enrich'd with politic grave counsel."
Shak.
3. 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; and in a bad sense, artful; unscrupulous; cunning;
-- said of persons.
Politic with my friend, smooth with mine
enemy.
Shak.
Syn. -- Wise; prudent; sagacious; discreet; provident; wary;
artful; cunning.
Pol`i*tic, n. A politician.
[Archaic] Bacon.
Swiftly the politic goes; is it dark? he borrows
a lantern;
Slowly the statesman and sure, guiding his feet by the
stars.
Lowell.
