policy

Where does the word "policy" come from? It comes from Greek polis, passing through Old French before entering English (1400s).

Policy’s story begins in Greek: polis meant “a city, a state.” A city, a state, the root behind matters of civic governance. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as police. Carried into French for civil administration and governance. It reached English by 1400s as policy. Settled as the English word for a course of action adopted by a government or organization. Today, policy means a course of action adopted by a government, business, or individual.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient polis "a city, a state", a city, a state, the root behind matters of civic governance.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval police "civil administration", carried into French for civil administration and governance.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1400s policy "a course of action adopted by a government or organization", settled as the English word for a course of action adopted by a government or organization.