civil
English meaning: Civil
Definition
Having to do with people and government office as opposed to the military or religion.
Example
“She went into civil service because she wanted to help the people.”
Another example: “Despite their disagreement, both sides remained civil throughout the meeting.”
Usage — When, Where & How
A formal adjective with three main senses: relating to ordinary citizens and the state (as opposed to military or religious), relating to non-criminal law, and meaning polite or courteous. The legal and political senses dominate in serious writing.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Latin 'civilis' ('relating to a citizen'), from 'civis' ('citizen'), entering English in the 14th century.
Related Words
Common Collocations
- civil war
- civil rights
- civil servant
- civil society
- civil case
- be civil
Word Forms
civil (adj); civilly (adv); civility (n); civilian (n)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B