a. [ L. politicus political, Gr. &unr_; belonging to the citizens or to the state, fr.&unr_; 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

He with his people made all but one politic body. Sir P. Sidney. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Politic with my friend, smooth with mine enemy. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Wise; prudent; sagacious; discreet; provident; wary; artful; cunning. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A politician. [ Archaic ] Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

Swiftly the politic goes; is it dark? he borrows a lantern;
Slowly the statesman and sure, guiding his feet by the stars. Lowell. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Having, or conforming to, a settled system of administration. [ R. ] “A political government.” Evelyn. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Of or pertaining to public policy, or to politics; relating to affairs of state or administration; as, a political writer. “The political state of Europe.” Paley. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Of or pertaining to a party, or to parties, in the state; as, his political relations were with the Whigs. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Politic; wise; also, artful. [ Obs. ] Sterne. [ 1913 Webster ]

Political economy, that branch of political science or philosophy which treats of the sources, and methods of production and preservation, of the material wealth and prosperity of nations. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Zeal or party spirit in politics. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. 1. In a political manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Politicly; artfully. [ Obs. ] Knolles. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. It. politicastro. ] A petty politician; a pretender in politics. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Cunning; using artifice; politic; artful. “Ill-meaning politician lords.” Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. politicien. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. One versed or experienced in the science of government; one devoted to politics; a statesman. [ 1913 Webster ]

While empiric politicians use deceit. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. One primarily devoted to his own advancement in public office, or to the success of a political party; -- used in a depreciatory sense; one addicted or attached to politics as managed by parties (see Politics, 2); a schemer; an intriguer; as, a mere politician. [ 1913 Webster ]

Like a scurvy politician, seem
To see the things thou dost not. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

The politician . . . ready to do anything that he apprehends for his advantage. South. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A political writer. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a politic manner; sagaciously; shrewdly; artfully. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]