• (RP) IPA: /ˈpɒlətɪk/
• (America) IPA: /ˈpɑlətɪk/

From Middle French politique, from Latin politicus, from Ancient Greek πολιτικός, from πολίτης ("citizen").

politic

1. (archaic) Of or relating to polity, or civil government; political.

   the body politic

   • a. 1587, Philippe Sidnei [i.e., Philip Sidney], “(please specify the folio)”, in [Fulke Greville; Matthew Gwinne; John Florio], editors, The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia [The New Arcadia], London: […] [John Windet] for William Ponsonbie, published 1590, →OCLC ↗:

     [H]e with his people made all but one politic body whereof himself was the head

2. (archaic, of things) Relating to, or promoting, a policy, especially a national policy; well-devised; adapted to its end, whether right or wrong.

   a politic treaty

   • c. 1593 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedy of Richard the Third: […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC ↗, [Act II, scene iii]:

     For then this land was famously enrich'd / With politic grave counsel

3. (archaic) 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
   • c. 1598–1600 (date written), William Shakespeare, “As You Like It”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC ↗, [Act V, scene iv]:

     I have been politic with my friend, smooth with mine enemy

4. Shrewd, prudent and expedient; showing policy.
5. Discreet and diplomatic.
   • 1834, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], chapter IV, in Francesca Carrara. […], volume III, London: Richard Bentley, […], (successor to Henry Colburn), →OCLC ↗, page 25 ↗:

     A unanimous exclamation called upon Evelyn himself to speak; and, after a minute's politic pause, he went on to state his plan.

   • 1915 June, T[homas] S[tearns] Eliot, “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock”, in Prufrock and Other Observations, London: The Egotist […], published 1917, →OCLC ↗, page 15 ↗:

     Deferential, glad to be of use, / Politic, cautious, and meticulous; […]

6. Artful, crafty or cunning.

• impolitic

politic (plural politics)

1. (archaic) A politician.
   • 1625, Francis [Bacon], “Of the True Greatness of Kingdoms and Estates”, in The Essayes […], 3rd edition, London: […] Iohn Haviland for Hanna Barret, →OCLC ↗:

     to speake truly of politikes & Statesmen

   • 1871, Benjamin Jowett, chapter III, in Plato: The Republic:

     And therefore our politic Asclepius may be supposed to have exhibited the power of his art only to persons who... had a definite ailment.

2. A politics; a set of political beliefs.

politic (third-person singular simple present politics, present participle politicking, simple past and past participle politicked)

1. Alt sp of politick