polianthes

[Gr. polys =many, and anthos blo om, flower.] Bot.: A genus of Hemerocallese; the peduncle is two or three feet long, and has on its summit many cream-colored flowers. Polianthes tuberosa (Tuberose), a native of Mexico and South America, much cultivated in gardens in India, China, and Java, is deliciously fragrant, especially after dark, and during some thunderstorms its fading flowers emit electric sparks. The bulbs, dried and powdered, are given by the Hindus in gonorrhea. po-lîçe', s . [Fr.=policy, civil government, from Lat. politia : Gr. polite i a =citizenship. civil govern ment, condition of a state; pol itēs =a citizen; polis =a city; Sp. policia ; Ital. polizia .] 1. A system of judicial and executive administration of a country, especially concerned with the maintenance of the quiet and good order of society; the means or system adopted by the authorities of a government, state, or community to maintain public order and liberty, and to protect property. In a more limited sefise, the administration of the laws, by-laws, and regulations of a city. The primary objects of the police system are the prevention and detection of crime, and the preservation of peace and order, but various other duties have been from time to time added, as the prevention and removal of public nuisances and obstructions, the suppre ion of mendicancy, and the carrying into effect of the numerous laws and regulations made from time to time for the maintenance of public health, order, and safety. 2. (Properly an abbreviation of the term police force , i. e. a force for the maintenance of the public police or order.) A civil force organized and maintained for the prevention and detection of crime, the preservation of public peace and order, and generally for the enforcing of the laws, by-laws, and poliene *põl'-I-çied, a. [Eng. policy ; -ed.] Regulated by laws; having a system of laws for the maintenance of public peace and order. "There it is a just cause of war for another nation, that is civil or policied to subdue them." -Bacon: Of an Holy War . pol-1-çỹ (1), *pol-1-cie, *pol-y-cy, s . [O. Fr. policie , from Lat. politia , from Gr. polite i a ; Sp. policia .] [POLICE. *1. Polity. "Let policie acknowledge itselfe indebted to religion." -Hooker : Eccles. Politie , bk. v., § 1. 2. The art of government; that line or system of procedure and actions which the government of a nation adopts as the best calculated to further its interests, either in regard to its relation with other states, or to the management of internal or domestic affairs; the line of conduct adopted or recommended by the responsible rulers of a state with regard to any question, foreign or domestic. "The English policy , he said, had so completely brutalized them, that they could hardly be called human beings."- Macaulay : Hist . Eng . , ch. xv. 3. The principles or grounds upon which a measure or course of action is based, having regard to the means adopted to secure its adoption or succe , as well as to the object with which it is adopted or recommended. *4. Motive, grounds; inducement, object. "What policy have you to bestow a benefit where it is counted an injury?"- Sidney . 5. Prudence, skill; sagacity or wisdom of governments or of individuals in the management of their affairs, public or private; regard had to that which is most to one's interest. "Kings will be tyrants from policy , when subjects are rebels from principle."-Burke. *6. Sagacity, cleverne . "The very policy of a hoste , finding his purse so far above his clothes, did detect him."- Fuller . 7. Good management; a wise, prudent, or advisable course or line of conduct. 8. Management of busine ; line or course pursued; as, Such a course is bad policy .