Added 8 October 2026
civil
/ˈsɪv.əl/ adjective
In Latin: cīvīlis Wiktionary
adjective Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about civil at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
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Applying to ordinary citizens as contrasted with the military.
civil authorities
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Not rude; marked by satisfactory (or especially minimal) adherence to social usages and sufficient but not noteworthy consideration for others.
even if he didn't like them he should have been civil
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Of or occurring within the state or between or among citizens of the state.
civil affairs
Origin
From Middle English cyvyl, civil, borrowed from Old French civil, from Latin cīvīlis (“relating to a citizen”), from cīvis (“citizen”) ultimately from proto-Indo-European *ḱey-. Cognate with Old English hīwen (“household”), hīrǣden (“family”). More at hind; hird. (polite): Compare typologically urbane (<< Latin urbs), courteous (akin to court).
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)