Part 263

Civil action, an action to enforce the rights or redress the wrongs of an individual, not involving a criminal proceeding. -- Civil architecture, the architecture which is employed in constructing buildings for the purposes of civil life, in distinction from military and naval architecture, as private houses, palaces, churches, etc. -- Civil death. (Law.) See under Death. - - Civil engineering. See under Engineering. -- Civil law. See under Law. -- Civil list. See under List. -- Civil remedy (Law), that given to a person injured, by action, as opposed to a criminal prosecution. -- Civil service, all service rendered to and paid for by the state or nation other than that pertaining to naval or military affairs. -- Civil service reform, the substitution of business principles and methods for the spoils system in the conduct of the civil service, esp. in the matter of appointments to office. -- Civil state, the whole body of the laity or citizens not included under the military, maritime, and ecclesiastical states. -- Civil suit. Same as Civil action. -- Civil war. See under War. -- Civil year. See under Year.

Ci*vil"ian (?), n. [From Civil] 1. One skilled in the civil law.

Ancient civilians and writers upon government. Swift.

2. A student of the civil law at a university or college. R. Graves.

3. One whose pursuits are those of civil life, not military or clerical.

Civ"il*ist (?), n. A civilian. [R.] Warburton.

Ci*vil"i*ty (?), n.; pl. Civilities (#). [L. civilitas: cf. F. civilitÚ. 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.]

Monarchies have risen from barbarrism to civility, and fallen again to ruin. Sir J. Davies.

The gradual depature of all deeper signification from the word civility has obliged the creation of another word -- civilization. Trench.

2. A civil office, or a civil process [Obs.]

To serve in a civility. Latimer.

3. Courtesy; politeness; kind attention; good breeding; a polite act or expression.

The insolent civility of a proud man is, if possible, more shocking than his rudeness could be. Chesterfield.

The sweet civilities of life. Dryden.

Syn. -- Urbanity; affability; complaisance.

Civ"i*li`za*ble (?), a. Capable of being civilized.

Civ`i*li*za"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. civilisation.] 1. The act of civilizing, or the state of being civilized; national culture; refinement.

Our manners, our civilization, and all the good things connected with manners, and with civilization, have, in this European world of ours, depended for ages upon two principles -- . . . the spirit of a gentleman, and spirit of religion. Burke

2. (Law) Rendering a criminal process civil. [Obs.]

Civ"i*lize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Civilized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Civilizing.] [Cf. F. civilizer, fr.L. civilis civil. See Civil.] 1. To reclaim from a savage state; to instruct in the rules and customs of civilization; to educate; to refine.

Yet blest that fate which did his arms dispose Her land to civilize, as to subdue. Dryden

2. To admit as suitable to a civilized state. [Obs. or R.] "Civilizing adultery." Milton.

Syn. -- To polish; refine; humanize.

Civ"i*lized (?), a. Reclaimed from savage life and manners; instructed in arts, learning, and civil manners; refined; cultivated.

Sale of conscience and duty in open market is not reconcilable with the present state of civilized society. J. Quincy.

Civ"i*li*zer (?), n. One who, or that which, civilizes or tends to civilize.

Civ"i*ly (?), adv. In a civil manner; as regards civil rights and privileges; politely; courteously; in a well bred manner.

Civ"ism (?), n. [Cf. F. civisme, fr.L. civis citizen.] State of citizenship. [R.] Dyer.