body politic

plural bodies politic · alternative obsolete body politique

1. figurativelyThe collective body of a nation or state as politically organized.

   In contrast to all other groups, the Jews were defined and their position determined by the body politic.

   1951, Hannah Arendt, “The Jews, the Nation-state, and the Birth of Antisemitism”, in The Origins of Totalitarianism (A Harvest/HBJ Book), new edition, San Diego, Calif.; New York, N.Y.: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, published 1973, →ISBN, part 1 (Antisemitism), page 14

   2 more examples

   In Bodies Politique the power of the Repreſentative is alwaies Limited: And that which preſcribeth the Limits thereof, is the Power Soveraign.

   1651, Thomas Hobbes, “Of Systems Subject Political and Private”, in Leviathan, or The Matter, Forme, & Power of a Common-wealth Ecclesiasticall and Civill, London: […] [William Wilson] for Andrew Crooke, […], →OCLC, 2nd part (Of Common-wealth), page 115

   While most historians of the period dissect the body politic, Whitelock doesn't waste time in the halls of Parliament. Instead, she hastens straight to the boudoir of the queen who chose celibacy as a means of wielding power.

   2014 February 7, Kathryn Harrison, “The body politic”, in The New York Times Book Review, New York, N.Y.: The New York Times Company, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 25 Jan 2021

2. figurativelyThe collective body of a nation or state as exercising political functions.
3. archaicA corporation.