Civility

  • 1Civility — Ci*vil i*ty, n.; pl. {Civilities}. [L. civilitas: cf. F. civilit[ e]. See {Civil}.] 1. The state of society in which the relations and duties of a citizen are recognized and obeyed; a state of civilization. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] Monarchies have… …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 2civility — index amenity, comity, consideration (sympathetic regard), courtesy, decorum, respect Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …

    Law dictionary

  • 3civility — late 14c., status of a citizen, from CIVIL (Cf. civil) + ITY (Cf. ity). Later especially good citizenship (1530s). Also state of being civilized (1540s); behavior proper to civilized persons (1560s) …

    Etymology dictionary

  • 4civility — ► NOUN (pl. civilities) 1) politeness and courtesy. 2) (civilities) polite remarks used in formal conversation …

    English terms dictionary

  • 5civility — [sə vil′ə tē] n. pl. civilities [ME civilite < OFr < L civilitas (< civilis,CIVIL), politics, hence politic behavior, politeness] 1. politeness, esp. in a merely formal way 2. a civil, or polite, act or utterance …

    English World dictionary

  • 6civility — UK [səˈvɪlətɪ] / US [sɪˈvɪlətɪ] noun Word forms civility : singular civility plural civilities formal a) [uncountable] polite behaviour I expect to be treated with a little more civility. b) civilities [plural] polite comments, questions etc,… …

    English dictionary

  • 7civility — ci|vil|i|ty [sıˈvılıti] n formal 1.) [U] polite behaviour which most people consider normal →↑civil ▪ Please have the civility to knock before you enter next time. 2.) civilities [plural] something that you say or do in order to be polite ▪ We… …

    Dictionary of contemporary English

  • 8civility — ci|vil|i|ty [ sı vıləti ] noun FORMAL uncount polite behavior: I expect to be treated with a little more civility. a. civilities plural polite comments, questions, etc., especially between people who meet in a formal situation: Jean wasted no… …

    Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • 9civility — noun 1 (U) polite behaviour which most people consider normal: Please have the civility to knock before you enter next time. 2 civilities (plural) formal something that you say or do in order to be polite: We exchanged civilities when we were… …

    Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • 10civility — noun 1) he treated me with civility Syn: courtesy, courteousness, politeness, good manners, graciousness, consideration, respect, politesse, comity Ant: disrespect, rudeness 2) she didn t waste time on civiliti …

    Thesaurus of popular words