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Pol"i*cied (?), a. Policed. [Obs.] Bacon.
Pol"i*cy (?), n.; pl. Policies (#). [L. politia, Gr. &?;; cf. F.
police, Of. police. See Police, n.] 1. Civil polity. [Obs.]
2. The settled method by which the government and affairs of a nation
are, or may be, administered; a system of public or official
administration, as designed to promote the external or internal
prosperity of a state.
3. The method by which any institution is administered; system of
management; course.
4. Management or administration based on temporal or material interest,
rather than on principles of equity or honor; hence, worldly wisdom;
dexterity of management; cunning; stratagem.
5. Prudence or wisdom in the management of public and private affairs;
wisdom; sagacity; wit.
The very policy of a hostess, finding his purse so far above his
clothes, did detect him.
Fuller.