a. [ L. civilis, fr. civis citizen: cf. F. civil. See City. ]
England was very rude and barbarous; for it is but even the other day since England grew civil. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]
Civil men come nearer the saints of God than others; they come within a step or two of heaven. Preston [ 1913 Webster ]
☞ “A civil man now is one observant of slight external courtesies in the mutual intercourse between man and man; a civil man once was one who fulfilled all the duties and obligations flowing from his position as a 'civis' and his relations to the other members of that 'civitas.'” Trench [ 1913 Webster ]
Civil action,
Civil architecture,
Civil death. (Law.)
Civil engineering.
Civil law.
Civil list.
Civil remedy (Law),
Civil service,
Civil service reform,
Civil state,
Civil suit.
Civil war.
Civil year.
n. [ From Civil ]
Ancient civilians and writers upon government. Swift. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. A civilian. [ R. ] Warburton. [ 1913 Webster ]
n.;
Monarchies have risen from barbarrism to civility, and fallen again to ruin. Sir J. Davies. [ 1913 Webster ]
The gradual depature of all deeper signification from the word civility has obliged the creation of another word -- civilization. Trench. [ 1913 Webster ]
To serve in a civility. Latimer. [ 1913 Webster ]
The insolent civility of a proud man is, if possible, more shocking than his rudeness could be. Chesterfield. [ 1913 Webster ]
The sweet civilities of life. Dryden.
a. Capable of being civilized. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ Cf. F. civilisation. ]
Our manners, our civilization, and all the good things connected with manners, and with civilization, have, in this European world of ours, depended for ages upon two principles -- . . . the spirit of a gentleman, and spirit of religion. Burke [ 1913 Webster ]
v. t.
Yet blest that fate which did his arms dispose
Her land to civilize, as to subdue. Dryden [ 1913 Webster ]
a. Reclaimed from savage life and manners; instructed in arts, learning, and civil manners; refined; cultivated. [ 1913 Webster ]
Sale of conscience and duty in open market is not reconcilable with the present state of civilized society. J. Quincy. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. One who, or that which, civilizes or tends to civilize. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. a person having or showing active concern for protection of civil liberties protected by law. [ WordNet 1.5 ]