civil

civ·il

adjective \ˈsi-vəl\

Definition of CIVIL

1

a : of or relating to citizens

b : of or relating to the state or its citizenry <civil strife>

2

a : civilized <civil society>

b : adequate in courtesy and politeness : mannerly <a civil question>

3

a : of, relating to, or based on civil law

b : relating to private rights and to remedies sought by action or suit distinct from criminal proceedings

c : established by law

4

: of, relating to, or involving the general public, their activities, needs, or ways, or civic affairs as distinguished from special (as military or religious) affairs

5

of time : based on the mean sun and legally recognized for use in ordinary affairs

Examples of CIVIL

1. They got married in a civil ceremony at city hall.
2. It was hard to be civil when I felt so angry.
3. She was barely civil to me.

Origin of CIVIL

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin civilis, from civis

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to CIVIL

Synonyms

national, public

Antonyms

nonnational

Related Words

civic, federal, municipal; government, governmental; domestic, internal, intestine; democratic, republican; nationwide

Near Antonyms

global, international; alien, external, foreign

Synonym Discussion of CIVIL

civil, polite, courteous, gallant, chivalrous mean observant of the forms required by good breeding. civil often suggests little more than the avoidance of overt rudeness <owed the questioner a civil reply>. polite commonly implies polish of speech and manners and sometimes suggests an absence of cordiality <if you can't be pleasant, at least be polite>. courteous implies more actively considerate or dignified politeness <clerks who were unfailingly courteous to customers>. gallant and chivalrous imply courteous attentiveness especially to women. gallant suggests spirited and dashing behavior and ornate expressions of courtesy <a gallant suitor of the old school>. chivalrous suggests high-minded and self-sacrificing behavior <a chivalrous display of duty>.

Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism

Rhymes with CIVIL

drivel, shrivel, snivel, swivel