politician English · revision 7279

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1586}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˌpɒl.ɪˈtɪʃ.ən/ ''(UK)''; /ˌpɑ.ləˈtɪʃ.ən/, /ˌpɒl.ɪˈtɪʃ.ən/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed from [[politic]] and [[-ian]],^(MWU 2024)^(SOED 2002) or from French [[m|frm|politicien]].^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A politic, shrewd person, chiefly in a sinister sense: 1588 in the OED;^(OED 1989) a person skilled in politics, the 1580s in Etymonline;^(Etymonline) MWU dates it to 1586.^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ One versed in the art of governing is from 1589.^(OED 1989) One engaged in party politics, especially as a trade, is from 1628, and the word quickly took on overtones that were not typically good: one concerned with public affairs for profit.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) Johnson (1755) defined it as one versed in the arts of government, and in another sense as a man of artifice, quoting Lear's ''scurvy politician''.^(Johnson 1755)^(Etymonline) The Century Dictionary contrasts it with [[statesman]], which implies disinterested and able service.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1586 – first use (MWU).^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1588 – a shrewd schemer.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1589 – one versed in government.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1628 – a party politician.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1755 – Johnson's definitions.^(Johnson 1755)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A person who is professionally involved in [[politics]], especially as an elected official.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A person who acts in a shrewd, self-interested way to gain advantage.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[geopolitician]]

+ * [[nonpolitician]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[politics]]

+ * [[political]]

+ * [[politic]]

+ * [[police]]

+ * [[polity]]

+ * [[statesman]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ The Century Dictionary, quoted by Etymonline, notes that a man would not properly be called a statesman unless he also had eminent ability in public affairs.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}