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polis
[ poh-lis ]
/ ˈpoʊ lɪs /
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noun, plural po·leis [poh-lahys]. /ˈpoʊ laɪs/.
an ancient Greek city-state.
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Origin of polis
1890–95; <Greek pólis, plural (Ionic) póleis
Words nearby polis
Other definitions for polis (2 of 2)
-polis
a combining form, meaning “city,” appearing in loanwords from Greek (metropolis), and used in the formation of placenames (Annapolis).
Origin of -polis
Combining form representing Greek pólispolis
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use polis in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for polis (1 of 2)
polis1
/ (ˈpɒlɪs) /
noun plural poleis (ˈpɒlaɪs)
an ancient Greek city-state
Word Origin for polis
from Greek: city
British Dictionary definitions for polis (2 of 2)
polis2
/ (ˈpolɪs) /
noun
Scot and Irish the police or a police officer
Word Origin for polis
C19: a variant pronunciation of police
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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