Found 2 items, similar to Polity.
English → English (WordNet) Definition: polity polity n 1: the form of government of a social organization [syn: civil order ] 2: a politically organized unit 3: shrewd or crafty management of public affairs; “we was innocent of stratagems and polity”
English → English (gcide) Definition: Polity Polity \Pol"i*ty\, n.; pl. Polities. [L. politia, Gr. ?: 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. Usage: 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]