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. Political.]
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.
© Webster 1913.
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.
© Webster 1913.