2. Hence: The form or constitution by which any institution is organized; the recognized principles which
lie at the foundation of any human institution.
Nor is possible that any form of polity, much less polity ecclesiastical, should be good, unless God
himself be author of it.
Hooker. 3. Policy; art; management. [Obs.] B. Jonson.
Syn. — Policy. — Polity, Policy. These two words were originally the same. Polity is now confined
to the structure of a government; as, civil or ecclesiastical polity; while policy is applied to the scheme
of management of public affairs with reference to some aim or result; as, foreign or domestic policy.
Policy has the further sense of skillful or cunning management.
Politzerization
(Po*litz`er*i*za"tion) n. (Med.) The act of inflating the middle ear by blowing air up the
nose during the act of swallowing; — so called from Prof. Politzer of Vienna, who first practiced it.
Polive
(Pol"ive) n. A pulley. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Polka
(Pol"ka) n. [Pol. Polka a Polish woman: cf. F. & G. polka.]
1. A dance of Polish origin, but now common everywhere. It is performed by two persons in common
time.
2. (Mus.) A lively Bohemian or Polish dance tune in 2-4 measure, with the third quaver accented.
Polka jacket, a kind of knit jacket worn by women.
Poll
(Poll) n. [From Polly, The proper name.] A parrot; — familiarly so called.
Poll
(Poll), n. One who does not try for honors, but is content to take a degree merely; a passman. [Cambridge
Univ., Eng.]
Poll
(Poll) n. [Akin to LG. polle the head, the crest of a bird, the top of a tree, OD. pol, polle, Dan.
puld the crown of a hat.]
1. The head; the back part of the head. "All flaxen was his poll." Shak.
2. A number or aggregate of heads; a list or register of heads or individuals.
We are the greater poll, and in true fear
They gave us our demands.
Shak.
The muster file, rotten and sound, upon my life, amounts not to fifteen thousand poll.
Shak. 3. Specifically, the register of the names of electors who may vote in an election.
4. The casting or recording of the votes of registered electors; as, the close of the poll.
All soldiers quartered in place are to remove . . . and not to return till one day after the poll is ended.
Blackstone. 5. pl. The place where the votes are cast or recorded; as, to go to the polls.
6. The broad end of a hammer; the but of an ax.
7. (Zoöl.) The European chub. See Pollard, 3 (a).
