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Dictionary Language resources

polity

Pronunciation: /ˈpɒlɪti/

Definition of polity

noun (plural polities)

a form or process of civil government or constitution: the civic humanist’s polity a vision of a plural Arab polity
an organized society; a state as a political entity: the period in which West Germany was a distinct polity

Origin:

mid 16th century: from obsolete French politie, via Latin from Greek politeia 'citizenship, government', from politēs 'citizen', from polis 'city'