Latin for Lawyers

POLICY

because it is concurred in by more judges than any other opinion, although not the majority. POLICY [L. politia, politicus / relating to the state or to government] A plan or a set of guidelines to govern future decisions and actions. The prin ciples by which a person conducts his affairs or by which a group is guided in the management of its affairs. The agenda of a political party or of a legisla tive body. Also, a contract of insurance; the document evidencing the rela tionship between insurer and insured. POLITY [L. politia / the Roman Republic; the state; relating to the state] The organization of individuals into a governing entity, as a nation or state. The constitution or body of laws for a state or government. POLLUTE [L. polluo, polluere / to make unclean, defile, pollute] To make unclean or impure. To create conditions which render unusable by humans such natural elements as the water we drink, the food we eat and the air we breathe. POPULAR [L. populus / a group of people, a community, a nation] Relating to the general public. Concerning a group of people as a whole, rather than any individual or class in the group. The popular will is an expres sion of the sentiments or attitudes of the entire community as reflected in polls, media reports, etc. Also, commonly accepted or believed. POSITO UNO OPPOSITORUM NEGATUR ALTERUM When one of two opposing propositions is accepted, the other is deemed rejected. POSSE [L. possum , posse / to be able] Used in the sense of maybe or possibly , or to denote something which may happen in the future. Also, a group of persons organized to preserve the pub lic peace or to pursue a fugitive. See IN ESSE; IN POSSE POSSE COMITATUS [L. posse + comitatus / a retinue, a following] A group of citizens conscripted by a sheriff or other police official to help him maintain order or to find a missing person or capture a fugitive. POSSESSIO [L. possideo, possidere / to take possession of] Literally, possession; the act of possession. Also, that which is possessed. The right to exercise control or dominion over a chattel to the exclusion of all others.

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