politic

/ˈpä-lə-ˌtik/

Middle English politik, pollitique "of spiritual or secular governance, political, sagacious, prudent," borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French politique "of the state, political, of the regulation of social behavior," borrowed from Latin polīticus "of civil government, political" (Medieval Latin, "judicious, prudent"), borrowed from Greek polītikós "of citizens, civic, made up of citizens, of a statesman, of a state, political, public," from polī́tēs "citizen, freeman" + -ikos

adjective

  1. political

  2. characterized by shrewdness in managing, contriving, or dealing

  3. sagacious in promoting a policy

expedient politic advisable mean dictated by practical or prudent motives. expedient usually implies what is immediately advantageous without regard for ethics or consistent principles. politic stresses judiciousness and tactical value but usually implies some lack of candor or sincerity.

noun

  1. a group of persons politically organized under a single governmental authority

  2. corporation

  3. a people considered as a collective unit

noun phrase

  1. all the people in a particular country considered as a single group

The article examines the language politicians use to appeal to the body politic.