politic •\ˈpä-lə-ˌtik\• adjective
1. marked by artful prudence, expedience and shrewdness
2. smoothly agreeable and courteous with a degree of sophistication
The word politic has appeared in 32 New York Times articles in the past year, including on Dec. 2 in “Arts Dean Redefines Her Mission” by Robin Pogrebin:
Because Mary Schmidt Campbell has held so many high-profile positions in New York’s cultural world, she has long chosen to be somewhat politic about sharing her personal views.
… But now as Dr. Campbell, 66, prepares to step down from her N.Y.U. post, she said she is looking forward to raising her voice a little louder on issues that are central to her, like arts education.
“It is a demonstrated fact that if you put well-designed arts programs into the schools — particularly in areas that are underserved — and you integrate them into the curriculum, you can raise the performance in reading, math and science,” she said during a recent interview in her office.
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