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It is not only important, but, in a degree necessary, that the people of this country, should have an American Dictionary of the English language; for, although the body of the language is the same as in England, and it is desirable to perpetuate that sameness, yet some differences must exist. Language is the expression of ideas; and if the people of one country cannot preserve an identity of ideas, they cannot retain an identity of language. |
POL'ITY, n. [Gr.] The form or constitution of civil government of a nation or state; and in free states, the frame or fundamental system by which the several branches of government are established, and the powers and duties or each designated and defined.
The form or constitution of the civil
government of a nation or state; the framework or organization by
which the various departments of government are combined into a
systematic whole.
Blackstone. Hooker. Hence: The form or constitution by which
any institution is organized; the recognized principles which lie at
the foundation of any human institution.
Nor is possible that any form of polity, much less polity ecclesiastical, should be good, unless God himself be author of it. Hooker. Policy; art; management.
[Obs.]
B. Jonson.
Syn. -- Policy. -- Polity, Policy. These two words were originally the same. Polity is now confined to the structure of a government; as, civil or ecclesiastical polity; while policy is applied to the scheme of management of public affairs with reference to some aim or result; as, foreign or domestic policy. Policy has the further sense of skillful or cunning management. | ||||||||