The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Policy \Pol"i*cy\, n.; pl. Policies. [L. politia, Gr. ?; cf.
   F. police, Of. police. See Police, n.]
   1. Civil polity. [Obs.]
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   2. The settled method by which the government and affairs of
      a nation are, or may be, administered; a system of public
      or official administration, as designed to promote the
      external or internal prosperity of a state.
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   3. The method by which any institution is administered;
      system of management; course.
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   4. Management or administration based on temporal or material
      interest, rather than on principles of equity or honor;
      hence, worldly wisdom; dexterity of management; cunning;
      stratagem.
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   5. Prudence or wisdom in the management of public and private
      affairs; wisdom; sagacity; wit.
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            The very policy of a hostess, finding his purse so
            far above his clothes, did detect him. --Fuller.
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   6. Motive; object; inducement. [Obs.]
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            What policy have you to bestow a benefit where it is
            counted an injury?                    --Sir P.
                                                  Sidney.
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   Syn: See Polity.
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