GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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1.       
   Polity , n.; pl. Polities . [L. politia, Gr. : cf. F. politie. See 1st Policy, Police.]
   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
   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
   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