Politically

Part of speech: adverb

Definitions

1. In a manner relating to government, public affairs, or the competition for power and influence within organized groups
2. In a way that pertains to governance, societal issues, or the struggle for authority and influence among various factions
3. In a context that involves the management of state affairs, social relations, or the activity of competing interests in society

Etymology: "Politically" is a plain derivation: the adverb "political" with the English suffix "-ly" attached. The adjective "political" came into English from Middle French "politique" and Latin "politicus," which in turn came from Greek "politikos," meaning "relating to the city" or "relating to citizens," from "polis," the city-state. The Greek "polis" was the self-governing community that gave the Western idea of politics its name. The "-al" in "political" is a separate English suffix, added to make an adjective from the Latin "politic" base. The "-ly" at the end is Old English in origin, descending from a word meaning "body" or "form," so that "-ly" once meant something like "in the form of" and gradually became the regular marker for turning adjectives into adverbs.

Synonyms: governmentally, civically

Antonyms: apolitically