policy 1
/pol"euh see/ , n. , pl. policies .
1. a definite course of action adopted for the sake of expediency, facility, etc.: We have a new company policy.
2. a course of action adopted and pursued by a government, ruler, political party, etc.: our nation's foreign policy.
3. action or procedure conforming to or considered with reference to prudence or expediency: It was good policy to consent.
4. sagacity; shrewdness: Showing great policy, he pitted his enemies against one another.
5. Rare. government; polity.
[ 1350-1400; ME policie government, civil administration politia POLITY ]
Syn. 1. strategy, principle, rule. 4. acumen, astuteness, skill, art.
Ant. 4. ingenuousness, naiveté.
policy 2
/pol"euh see/ , n. , pl. policies .
1. a document embodying a contract of insurance.
2. a method of gambling in which bets are made on numbers to be drawn by lottery.
3. See numbers pool (def. 2).
[ 1555-65; police ( polizza apodixa receipt apódeixis a showing or setting forth; see APODICTIC, -SIS) + -Y 3 ]