Dictionary

civility en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• /sɪˈvɪl.ɪ.ti/ without t-flapping
• [sɪˈvɪl.ɪ.tʰɪi̯] without t-flapping
• [sɪˈvɪl.ɪ.ɾɪi̯] t-flapping
• (Southern-England) audio
• /sɪˈvɪl.ɪ.ɾi/ t-flapping

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin civilitas: compare French civilité. English equivalent civil + -ity.

Meanings

1. (countable, uncountable) Speech or behaviour that is fit for civil interactions; politeness, courtesy.
   • This is an exact Inventory of what we found about the Body of the Man-Mountain, who uſed us with great Civility, and due Reſpect to your Majeſty's Commiſſion. 1726 October 28, [Jonathan Swift], “The Emperor of Lilliput, Attended by Several of the Nobility, Come to See the Author in His Confinement. […]”, in Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World. […] [Gulliver’s Travels], volume I, London: […] Benj[amin] Motte, […], →OCLC, part I (A Voyage to Lilliput), page 43:
   • December 1749 Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield, letter to his son The insolent civility of a proud man is, if possible, more shocking than his rudeness could be.
2. (countable, in-plural, uncountable) An individual act or expression of polite behaviour; a courtesy.
   • Mr Lovelace received from every one those civilities which were due to his birth […] 1748, [Samuel Richardson], chapter III, in Clarissa. Or, The History of a Young Lady: […], volume I, London: […] S[amuel] Richardson; [a]nd sold by A[ndrew] Millar, […], →OCLC:
3. (archaic, countable, uncountable) The state or fact of being civilized; civilization.
   • Monarchies have risen from barbarism to civility, and fallen again to ruin. 1612, John Davies, Discoverie of the True Causes why Ireland was never entirely subdued:
4. (countable, obsolete, uncountable) A civil office; a civil capacity.
   • For what an enormity is this in a chriſtian realme to ſerue in a ciuility, hauinge the profyt of a Prouoſtſhip and a Deanrye, and a Perſonage? But I wil tel you what is lyke to come of it. It wil bring the clergy ſhortly into a very ſlauery. 1549 March 25 (Gregorian calendar), Hughe Latymer [i.e., Hugh Latimer], Augustine Bernher, compiler, “[27 Sermons Preached by the Ryght Reuerende Father in God and Constant Matir of Iesus Christe, Maister Hugh Latimer, […].] The Second Sermon of Maister Hughe Latimer, which He Preached before King Edward [VI].”, in Certayn Godly Sermons, Made uppon the Lords Prayer, […], London: […] John Day, […], published 1562, →OCLC, folio 36, recto:

Forms

Deriveds

incivility · overcivility · uncivility

Translations (45)

ru учти́вость (politeness; behavior which conforms to social conventions) · tr edep (politeness; behavior which conforms to social conventions) · ca civilitat (politeness; behavior which conforms to social conventions) · tr kibarlık (politeness; behavior which conforms to social conventions) · sh културност (politeness; behavior which conforms to social conventions) · ca civisme (politeness; behavior which conforms to social conventions) · cmn 素質 /素质 (politeness; behavior which conforms to social conventions) · gl civismo (politeness; behavior which conforms to social conventions) · gv ard-veenid (politeness; behavior which conforms to social conventions) · bn আদব (politeness; behavior which conforms to social conventions) · eo ĝentileco (politeness; behavior which conforms to social conventions) · it civiltà (politeness; behavior which conforms to social conventions) · gd modh (politeness; behavior which conforms to social conventions) · eo civitismo (politeness; behavior which conforms to social conventions) · fa نزاکت (politeness; behavior which conforms to social conventions) · bg учтивост (politeness; behavior which conforms to social conventions) · es civismo (politeness; behavior which conforms to social conventions) · pt civilidade (politeness; behavior which conforms to social conventions) · es civilidad (politeness; behavior which conforms to social conventions) · ro civilitate (politeness; behavior which conforms to social conventions) · th ความสุภาพ (politeness; behavior which conforms to social conventions) · sh kulturnost (politeness; behavior which conforms to social conventions) · ota نازكلك (politeness; behavior which conforms to social conventions) · bn নাজাকত (politeness; behavior which conforms to social conventions) · sh kultúra (politeness; behavior which conforms to social conventions) · tr nezaket (politeness; behavior which conforms to social conventions) · ar أَدَب (politeness; behavior which conforms to social conventions) · ga sibhialtacht (politeness; behavior which conforms to social conventions) · ro curtenie (politeness; behavior which conforms to social conventions) · de Höflichkeit (politeness; behavior which conforms to social conventions) · ru ве́жливость (politeness; behavior which conforms to social conventions) · fr politesse (politeness; behavior which conforms to social conventions) · ro politețe (politeness; behavior which conforms to social conventions) · de Verbindlichkeit (politeness; behavior which conforms to social conventions) · la civilitas (politeness; behavior which conforms to social conventions) · tr incelik (politeness; behavior which conforms to social conventions) · ru любе́зность (politeness; behavior which conforms to social conventions) · sh култу́ра (politeness; behavior which conforms to social conventions) · gl civilidade (politeness; behavior which conforms to social conventions) · de Anstand (politeness; behavior which conforms to social conventions) · cmn 文明 (politeness; behavior which conforms to social conventions) · bg вежливост (politeness; behavior which conforms to social conventions) · es urbanidad (politeness; behavior which conforms to social conventions) · eo dececo (politeness; behavior which conforms to social conventions) · fi kohteliaisuus (politeness; behavior which conforms to social conventions)