1.  policy(n = noun.cognition) - a plan of action adopted by an individual or social group; "it was a policy of retribution"; "a politician keeps changing his policies"
is a kind of plan of action
has particulars: activism, beggar-my-neighbor policy, beggar-my-neighbor strategy, beggar-my-neighbour policy, beggar-my-neighbour strategy, centralism, containment, moderationism, obscurantism, thatcherism, ultramontanism

2.  policy(n = noun.communication) - a line of argument rationalizing the course of action of a government; "they debated the policy or impolicy of the proposed legislation"
is a kind of argument, argumentation, line, line of reasoning, logical argument
has particulars: clericalism, plank, economic policy, social policy, party line, foreign policy, zero-tolerance policy, zionism

3.  policy(n = noun.communication) insurance, insurance policy - written contract or certificate of insurance; "you should have read the small print on your policy"
is a kind of contract
has particulars: floater, floating policy

1.  Civil polity. [1913 Webster]

2.  The settled method by which the government and affairs of a nation are, or may be, administered; a system of public or official administration, as designed to promote the external or internal prosperity of a state. [1913 Webster]

3.  The method by which any institution is administered; system of management; course. [1913 Webster]

4.  Management or administration based on temporal or material interest, rather than on principles of equity or honor; hence, worldly wisdom; dexterity of management; cunning; stratagem. [1913 Webster]

5.  Prudence or wisdom in the management of public and private affairs; wisdom; sagacity; wit. [1913 Webster]
"The very policy of a hostess, finding his purse so far above his clothes, did detect him." [1913 Webster]

6.  Motive; object; inducement. [1913 Webster]
"What policy have you to bestow a benefit where it is counted an injury?" [1913 Webster]

   To regulate by laws; to reduce to order. Bacon. [1913 Webster]

1.  A ticket or warrant for money in the public funds. [1913 Webster]

2.  The writing or instrument in which a contract of insurance is embodied; an instrument in writing containing the terms and conditions on which one party engages to indemnify another against loss arising from certain hazards, perils, or risks to which his person or property may be exposed. See Insurance. [1913 Webster]

3.  A method of gambling by betting as to what numbers will be drawn in a lottery; as, to play policy. [1913 Webster]

policy, n. (pl. -ies)
1 a course or principle of action adopted or proposed by a government, party, business, or individual etc.
2 prudent conduct; sagacity.

policy, n. (pl. -ies)
1 a contract of insurance.
2 a document containing this.

Etymology:
F police bill of lading, contract of insurance, f. Prov. poliss(i)a prob. f. med.L apodissa, apodixa, f. L apodixis f. Gk apodeixis evidence, proof (as APO-, deiknumi show)

N  plan, scheme, design, project, proposal, proposition, suggestion, resolution, motion, precaution, deep- laid plan, system, organization, germ, sketch, skeleton, outline, draught, draft, ebauche, brouillon, rough cast, rough draft, draught copy, copy, proof, revise, drawing, scheme, schematic, graphic, chart, flow chart (representation), forecast, program, programme, prospectus, carte du pays, card, bill, protocol, order of the day, list of agenda, bill of fare, base of operations, platform, plank, slate, ticket, role, policy, contrivance, invention, expedient, receipt, nostrum, artifice, device, pipelaying, stratagem, trick, alternative, loophole, shift, last shift, measure, step, stroke, stroke of policy, master stroke, trump card, court card, cheval de bataille, great gun, coup, coup d'etat, clever stroke, bold stroke, good move, good hit, good stroke, bright thought, bright idea, intrigue, cabal, plot, conspiracy, complot, machination, subplot, underplot, counterplot, schemer, schemist, schematist, strategist, machinator, projector, artist, promoter, designer, conspirator, intrigant, planned, strategic, strategical, planning, prepared, in course of preparation, under consideration, on the tapis, on the carpet, on the floor.

N  conduct, behavior, deportment, comportment, carriage, maintien, demeanor, guise, bearing, manner, observance, dealing, transaction, business, tactics, game, game plan, policy, polity, generalship, statesmanship, seamanship, strategy, strategics, plan, management, husbandry, housekeeping, housewifery, stewardship, menage, regime, economy, economics, political economy, government, execution, manipulation, treatment, campaign, career, life, course, walk, race, record, course of conduct, line of conduct, line of action, line of proceeding, role, process, ways, practice, procedure, modus operandi, MO, method of operating, method, path, conducting, strategical, businesslike, practical, executive.

beggar-my-neighbor policy, beggar-my-neighbour policy, blanket policy, council on environmental policy, defence policy, defense policy, economic policy, fiscal policy, floating policy, foreign policy, insurance policy, national trading policy, open-door policy, policy change, policy maker, scorched-earth policy, social policy, tax policy, term policy, time policy, trade policy, valued policy, zero-tolerance policy