pol·i·cy¹ / ˈpäləsē/ • n. (pl. -cies) a course or principle of action adopted or proposed by a government, party, business, or individual: the administration's controversial economic policies | it is not company policy to dispense with our older workers. ∎ archaic prudent or expedient conduct or action: a course of policy and wisdom. pol·i·cy² • n. (pl. -cies) 1. a contract of insurance: they took out a joint policy. 2. an illegal lottery or numbers game.

policy2 in full p. of assurance or insurance document containing an undertaking to pay certain sums for loss of property. XVI (earliest form police). — F. police — It. polizza prob.:— medL. apódissa, -ixa, alt. of L. apodīxis — Gr. apódeixis demonstration, proof.

POLICY

The general principles by which a government is guided in its management of public affairs, or the legislature in its measures. A general term used to describe all contracts of insurance.

As applied to a law, ordinance, orrule of law, the general purpose or tendency considered as directed to the welfare or prosperity of the state or community.

policy1 †government, administration XIV; prudence in procedure; course of action deemed expedient XV. — OF. policie (in first sense) — L. polītīa POLITY.

policy.
1. Improvement or embellishment of an estate or town.

2. Buildings, gardens, etc. on an estate.

3. Enclosed park or demesne land around a country-house.