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Cautious vs Politic - What's the difference?

cautious | politic | Related terms |

As adjectives the difference between cautious and politic

is that cautious is careful; using or exercising caution; tentative while politic is of or relating to polity, or civil government; political.

As a noun politic is

a politician.

cautious

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • careful; using or exercising caution; tentative
    • He took a few cautious steps out the door.

    Synonyms

    * See also

    Antonyms

    * neglecting * careless

    Derived terms

    * overcautious

    politic

    English

    Alternative forms

    * politick (obsolete)

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • (archaic) Of or relating to polity, or civil government; political.
    • the body politic
  • * (rfdate) Sir (Philip Sidney)
    • He with his people made all but one politic body.
  • (archaic) Relating to, or promoting, a policy, especially a national policy; well-devised; adapted to its end, whether right or wrong; said of things.
    • a politic treaty
  • * (rfdate) Shakespeare
    • enrich'd with politic grave counsel
  • (archaic) Sagacious in promoting a policy; ingenious in devising and advancing a system of management; devoted to a scheme or system rather than to a principle; hence, in a good sense, wise; prudent; sagacious
  • * (rfdate) Shakespeare
    • Politic with my friend, smooth with mine enemy.
  • , prudent and expedient.
  • and diplomatic.
  • , crafty or cunning.

    • Antonyms

    * impolitic

    Related terms

    * police * policy * political * politician * politicize * politics * polity

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (archaic) A politician.
    • (Francis Bacon)
  • * Lowell
    • Swiftly the politic goes; is it dark? he borrows a lantern; / Slowly the statesman and sure, guiding his feet by the stars.
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