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| civ·il [ sívv'l ] |
adjective |
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| Definition: |
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1. polite: polite, but in a way that is cold and formal
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2. relating to citizens: relating to what happens within a state or between different citizens or groups of citizens
 civil war
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3. not military: connected with ordinary citizens and organizations as opposed to the armed forces
 the civil authorities
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4. not religious: performed by a state official such as a registrar rather than a member of the clergy
 civil marriage
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5. Same as civic (sense 2)
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6. law happening between individuals: involving individual people or groups in legal action other than criminal proceedings
 a civil action
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| [14th century. < Latin civilis< civis "citizen"] |