civility
Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word civility. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word civility, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say civility in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word civility you have here. The definition of the word civility will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition ofcivility, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin civilitas: compare French civilité. English equivalent civil + -ity.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /sɪˈvɪl.ɪ.ti/
Audio (Southern England): (file)
Noun
civility (countable and uncountable, plural civilities)
- Speech or behaviour that is fit for civil interactions; politeness, courtesy.
- 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. , volume I, London: Benj Motte, , →OCLC, part I (A Voyage to Lilliput), page 43:
- 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 Majefty's Commiſſion.
- 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.
- (chiefly in the plural) An individual act or expression of polite behaviour; a courtesy.
- 1748, [Samuel Richardson], chapter III, in Clarissa. Or, The History of a Young Lady: , volume I, London: S Richardson; , →OCLC:
- Mr Lovelace received from every one those civilities which were due to his birth […]
- (now archaic) The state or fact of being civilized; civilization.
- 1612, John Davies, Discoverie of the True Causes why Ireland was never entirely subdued:
- Monarchies have risen from barbarism to civility, and fallen again to ruin.
- (obsolete) A civil office; a civil capacity.
- 1549 March 25 (Gregorian calendar), Hughe Latymer [i.e., Hugh Latimer], Augustine Bernher, compiler, “.] The Second Sermon of Maister Hughe Latimer, which He Preached before King Edward .”, in Certayn Godly Sermons, Made uppon the Lords Prayer, , London: John Day, , published 1562, →OCLC, folio 36, recto:
- 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.
Derived terms
Translations
politeness; behavior which conforms to social conventions
|
References
- “civility”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.