'polity' originates from Late Latin and Old French, specifically the Late Latin/Old French word 'politia'/'politie', ultimately from Greek 'politeia', where 'polis' meant 'city' and 'polites' meant 'citizen'.

'polity' changed from Old French 'politie' and Late Latin 'politia' (from Greek 'politeia') and eventually became the modern English word 'polity' in Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'citizenship, the rights and duties of citizens' or 'administration of a city,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'an organized political community or form of government.'