%polity%

n.; pl. Polities [ L. politia, Gr. &unr_;: cf. F. politie. See 1st Policy, Police. ] 1. The form or constitution of the civil government of a nation or state; the framework or organization by which the various departments of government are combined into a systematic whole. Blackstone. Hooker. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Hence: The form or constitution by which any institution is organized; the recognized principles which lie at the foundation of any human institution. [ 1913 Webster ]

Nor is possible that any form of polity, much less polity ecclesiastical, should be good, unless God himself be author of it. Hooker. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Policy; art; management. [ Obs. ] B. Jonson. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Policy. -- Polity, Policy. These two words were originally the same. Polity is now confined to the structure of a government; as, civil or ecclesiastical polity; while policy is applied to the scheme of management of public affairs with reference to some aim or result; as, foreign or domestic policy. Policy has the further sense of skillful or cunning management. [ 1913 Webster ]