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.
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.
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