- 1識時務的、得體有利的（不是「政治的」；政治的是 political）
If a choice is politic, it is wise in a careful, way — likely to help you, or at least not to make enemies. A politic remark is the remark that keeps the peace and still serves your aim. It is about reading the room and picking the smart move.
Though actually, this is the trap. Politic looks like political, and they are cousins, but they are not the same. Political means “about government, parties, and public power.” Politic means “wise, careful, and likely to work in your favour.” You can make a politic decision at a family dinner. Older writing and formal English still use it; in everyday speech many people would just say “wise,” “sensible,” or “careful not to upset anyone.” It can even sound a little cool: a politic silence may mean you stayed quiet because speaking would cost you.
There is also a set phrase, the body politic, meaning the state as if it were a body. That is a fossil. For this entry, the living use is the adjective: sensible, and likely to gain you an advantage.
組成From French politique, from Latin politicus, from Greek politikos, from polites, “citizen” — a person who belongs to the city. The same old word also arrived in English as politico.
同家族的字
- politicalsame Greek root (citizen / city), but political means “about government”
- politicssame root
- politiciana person in politics; same root
- politicothe same ancestor by another path into English
- politya form of government or a political body; same root
原始詞典資料9 筆記錄
以下是外部詞典記錄的用法，摘錄並精簡格式，我們還沒有寫成教學內容。上面的說明才是我們自己寫的；有些用法可能上面已經講過了。
politicadj詞源 1/ˈpɒl.ɪ.tɪk/
- 1
archaicOf or relating to polity, or civil government; political.
- the body politic
- [H]e with his people made all but one politic body whereof himself was the head
- 2
archaicRelating to, or promoting, a policy, especially a national policy; well-devised; adapted to its end, whether right or wrong.
- a politic treaty
- For then this land was famously enrich'd / With politic grave counsel
- 3
archaicSagacious 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
- I have been politic with my friend, smooth with mine enemy
- 4
Shrewd, prudent and expedient; showing policy.
- But as he headed for the front of the line one of his minders whispered that it might be politic to go to the back.
- But campaigners in Florida accused him of turning a blind eye to the real issues with his "politic" appearance before the commission.
- 5
Discreet and diplomatic.
- A unanimous exclamation called upon Evelyn himself to speak; and, after a minute's politic pause, he went on to state his plan.
- Deferential, glad to be of use, / Politic, cautious, and meticulous; […]
- 6
Artful, crafty or cunning.
politicnoun詞源 1/ˈpɒl.ɪ.tɪk/
- 1
archaicA politician.
- to speake truly of politikes & Statesmen
- Swiftly the politic goes; is it dark? he borrows a lantern; / Slowly the statesman and sure, guiding his feet by the stars.
- 2
A politics; a set of political beliefs.
- While the stories and lives on the screen are alternately moving and funny, an unspoken question arises: does similar experience always lead to a coherent politic?
這個拼法也被記錄為下列字的變化形：
- politick
摘錄自 英文維基詞典 English Wiktionary，已精簡格式；依 CC BY-SA 4.0 授權使用，改動後的內容同樣以此授權提供。