\Pol"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Polities}. [L. politia, Gr. ?: cf.
F. politie. See 1st {Policy}, {Police}.]
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Policy; art; management. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
Syn: Policy.
Usage: {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.