policy

¹

[ pol-uh-see ]

noun

, plural pol·i·cies.

1. a definite course of action adopted for the sake of expediency, facility, etc.:

   We have a new company policy.

   Synonyms: rule, principle, strategy

2. a course of action adopted and pursued by a government, ruler, political party, etc.:

   our nation's foreign policy.

3. action or procedure conforming to or considered with reference to prudence or expediency:

   It was good policy to consent.

4. prudence or expediency; shrewdness:

   Showing great policy, he pitted his enemies against one another.

   Synonyms: wit, calculation, acumen, prudence

   Antonyms: naiveté

5. Rare. government; polity.

policy

²

[ pol-uh-see ]

noun

, plural pol·i·cies.

1. a document embodying a contract of insurance.
2. a method of gambling in which bets are made on numbers to be drawn by lottery.
3. numbers pool ( def 2 ).

policy

¹

/ ˈpɒlɪsɪ /

noun

1. a document containing a contract of insurance

policy

²

/ ˈpɒlɪsɪ /

noun

1. a plan of action adopted or pursued by an individual, government, party, business, etc
2. wisdom, prudence, shrewdness, or sagacity
3. often plural the improved grounds surrounding a country house

Word History and Origins

Origin of policy¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English policie “art of government, government, civil administration,” from Middle French, from Latin polītīa polity

Origin of policy²

First recorded in 1555–65; from Middle French police “written proof, documentary evidence,” (from Italian polizza, from Medieval Latin apodissa, apodīxa “receipt, security,” ultimately from Greek apódeixis “a showing or setting forth”; apodictic, -sis ) + -y ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of policy¹

C16: from Old French police certificate, from Old Italian polizza, from Latin apodixis proof, from Greek apodeixis demonstration, proof

Origin of policy²

C14: from Old French policie, from Latin polītīa administration, polity

Related Words

• action
• administration
• approach
• arrangement
• behavior
• code
• guideline
• management
• method
• plan
• practice
• program
• protocol
• rule
• scheme
• strategy
• theory