[pol.i.cy] n, pl -cies often attrib [ME policie government, policy, fr. MF, government, regulation, fr. LL politia] (15c) 1 a: prudence or wisdom in the management of affairs b: management or procedure based primarily on material interest
2. a: a definite course or method of action selected from among alternatives and in light of given conditions to guide and determine present and future decisions b: a high-level overall plan embracing the general goals and acceptable procedures esp. of a governmental body
[2]policy n, pl -cies [alter. of earlier police, fr. MF, certificate, fr. OIt polizza, modif. of ML apodixa receipt, fr. MGk apodeixis, fr. Gk, proof, fr. apodeiknynai to demonstrate--more at apodictic] (1565) 1: a writing whereby a contract of insurance is made
2. a: a daily lottery in which participants bet that certain numbers will be drawn from a lottery wheel b: number 7a