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 ]
adj. having or showing active concern for protection of civil liberties protected by law. [ WordNet 1.5 ]
n. a person having or showing active concern for protection of civil liberties protected by law. [ WordNet 1.5 ]
. In the United States, a commission appointed by the President, consisting of three members, not more than two of whom may be adherents of the same party, which has the control, through examinations, of appointments and promotions in the classified civil service. It was created by act of Jan, 16, 1883 (22 Stat. 403). [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]
. The substitution of business principles and methods for political methods in the conduct of the civil service. esp. the merit system instead of the spoils system in making appointments to office. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]
adv. In a civil manner; as regards civil rights and privileges; politely; courteously; in a well bred manner. [ 1913 Webster ]
v. t. To reduce from civilization to a savage state. [ R. ] Blackwood's Mag. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. [ L. incivilis; pref. in- not + civilis civil: cf. F. incivil. ] Uncivil; rude. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
n.;
Uncomely jests, loud talking and jeering, which, in civil account, are called indecencies and incivilities. Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ Pref. in- not + civilization. ] The state of being uncivilized; lack of civilization; barbarism. [ 1913 Webster ]
adv. Uncivilly. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
a.
Men can not enjoy the rights of an uncivil and of a civil state together. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. Incivility. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]
n. The state of being uncivilized; savagery or barbarism. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]
a.
adv. In an uncivil manner. [ 1913 Webster ]