policy

UK /ˈpɒl.ə.si/ US /ˈpɑ.lə.si/
noun 9verb 1

Definitions

noun

1

A principle of behaviour, conduct which an entity (government, organization, etc.) applies or seeks to follow, especially as formally expressed by an authoritative body.

The Communist Party has a policy of returning power to the workers.

It's company policy that all mobile phones are forbidden in meetings.

2

A document describing such a policy.

Please print extra copies of this policy and post them where it will be easy for everyone to see.

3

Wise, advantageous, or politic conduct; prudence, formerly also with connotations of craftiness.

[H]e [Richard I of England] was diſcovered in an inne in Auſtria, becauſe he diſguiſed his perſon not his expenſes; ſo that the very policie of an hoſteſſe, finding his purſe ſo farre above his clothes, did detect him: […]

These bitter accusations might have been suppressed, had I with greater policy concealed my struggles, and flattered you into the belief of my being impelled by unqualified, unalloyed inclination; […]

4

Specifically, political shrewdness or (formerly) cunning; statecraft.

I, 'policie? that's their profession, And not simplicity, as they suggest.

Whether he believed himself a god, or only took on the attributes of divinity from motives of policy, is a question for the psychologist, since the historical evidence is indecisive.

5

The grounds of a large country house.

1775, Samuel Johnson, A Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland section on Aberbrothick Now and then about a gentleman’s house stands a small plantation, which in Scotch is called a policy, but of these there are few, and those few all very young.

There was but one thing happened worth narrating; and that is the visit I had of Robin Oig, one of the sons of the notorious Rob Roy. He was sought upon all sides on a charge of carrying a young woman from Balfron and marrying her (as was alleged) by force; yet he stepped about Balquhidder like a gentleman in his own walled policy.

verb

1

To regulate by laws; to reduce to order.

Policying of cities.

noun

1

A contract of insurance.

2

A document containing or certifying this contract.

Your insurance policy covers fire and theft only.

3

An illegal daily lottery in late nineteenth and early twentieth century USA on numbers drawn from a lottery wheel (no plural)

4

A number pool lottery

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