The word “polis” in ancient Greek, which means “city-state,” has a direct etymology from Greek itself. It’s derived from the Greek word πόλις (pólis), signifying a city, a city-state, or a community with its own administration and self-governance. This term is at the root of many modern words related to politics and city life, such as “metropolis” (the mother city or main city, especially in relation to its colonies), “police” (originally pertaining to public administration), and “policy” (relating to governance). The concept of the polis was central to Greek civilization and has had a lasting impact on political theory and the understanding of civic and communal life.