different between politic vs underhand

English

Alternative forms

• politick (obsolete)

Etymology

From Middle French politique, from Latin politicus, from Ancient Greek ????????? (politikós), from ??????? (polít?s, “citizen”). Cognate with German politisch (“political”). Doublet of politico.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?p?l?t?k/
• (US) IPA^(key): /?p?l?t?k/

Adjective

politic (comparative more politic, superlative most politic)

1. (archaic) Of or relating to polity, or civil government; political.
2. (archaic, of things) Relating to, or promoting, a policy, especially a national policy; well-devised; adapted to its end, whether right or wrong.
   • c. 1592, William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of Richard the Third, Act II, scene iii:

     For then this land was famously enrich'd / With politic grave counsel

3. (archaic) Sagacious in promoting a policy; ingenious in devising and advancing a system of management; devoted to a scheme or system rather than to a principle; hence, in a good sense, wise; prudent; sagacious
   • c. 1599, William Shakespeare, As You Like It, Act V, scene iv:

     I have been politic with my friend, smooth with mine enemy

4. Shrewd, prudent and expedient.
5. Discreet and diplomatic.
6. Artful, crafty or cunning.

Antonyms

• impolitic

Related terms

• police
• policy
• political
• politician
• politicize
• politics
• polity

Noun

politic (plural politics)

1. (archaic) A politician.

   (Can we find and add a quotation of Francis Bacon to this entry?)

   • 1871, Benjamin Jowett, Plato: The Republic Chapter III

     And therefore our politic Asclepius may be supposed to have exhibited the power of his art only to persons who... had a definite ailment.

Verb

politic (third-person singular simple present politics, present participle politicking, simple past and past participle politicked)

1. To engage in political activity; politick.

Interlingua

Adjective

politic (comparative plus politic, superlative le plus politic)

1. political

Ladin

Adjective

politic m pl

1. plural of politich

Occitan

Etymology

From Latin pol?ticus, from Ancient Greek ????????? (politikós).

Adjective

politic m (feminine singular politica, masculine plural politics, feminine plural politicas)

1. political

Derived terms

• politizar

English

Etymology

under +? hand

Pronunciation

• enPR: ?n?d?(r)-(h)?nd', IPA^(key): /??n.d?(?)?(h)ænd/
• Rhymes: -ænd
• Hyphenation: un?der?hand

Adjective

underhand (comparative more underhand, superlative most underhand)

1. secret; clandestine
2. (by extension) dishonest and sneaky; done in a secret or sly manner
3. (in various ball games, of a ball) thrown (etc.) with the hand brought forward and up from below

Synonyms

• (all): underhanded
• (ball games): underarm

Translations

Adverb

underhand (comparative more underhand, superlative most underhand)

1. with an underhand movement
2. in a sly, sneaky or secret manner

Synonyms

• (in a secret manner): underhandedly

Translations

Verb

underhand (third-person singular simple present underhands, present participle underhanding, simple past and past participle underhanded)

1. To toss or lob with an underhand movement.
2. To trick, deceive or gull.
3. (mining) To excavate downward in successive steps or horizontal slices while positioned above on unbroken ore.

Noun

underhand (plural underhands)

1. (textiles) The lower of two hands, the hand under the work.

   Your underhand should be entirely under the quilt.

Anagrams

• unharden'd