body politic

American  

noun

Political Science.

1. a people regarded as a political body under an organized government.

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body politic British  

noun

1. the people of a nation or the nation itself considered as a political entity; the state

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Etymology

Origin of body politic

1425–75; late Middle English bodi politik

Example Sentences

It was the most extreme expression of a wound to the body politic that has been allowed to fester.

From The Wall Street Journal

We are affirmed in the knowledge that we are the body politic.

From Los Angeles Times

As I continue this journey, I believe the most important strategy that has been omitted to date is holistic healing for our body politic.

From Salon

“If we possess anything important in our citizenship, it’s the ability to vote and to participate in the body politic of our localities in our nation,” Lacy said.

From Los Angeles Times

After the war ended, it resumed and became ever stronger in the Confederate portion of the body politic.

From Salon