Webster's English Dictionary

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politics

pol.i.tics \'pa:l-*-.tiks\ n [Gk politika, fr. neut. pl. of politikos 
   political] pl but sing or pl in constr  1a: the art or science of 
   government  1b: the art or science concerned with guiding or influencing 
   governmental p olicy 1c: the art or science concerned with winning and 
   holding control over a go vernment 2: political actions, practices, or 
   policies  3a: political affairs or business; specif : competition between 
   com peting interest groups or individuals for power and leadership in a 
   government or other group 3b: political life esp. as a principal activity 
   or profession  3c: political activities characterized by artful and often 
   dishonest practi ces 4: the political opinions or sympathies of a person  
   5: the total complex of relations between men in society