- Civil engineering
- Civil Civ"il, a. [L. civilis, fr. civis citizen: cf. F. civil.
See {City}.]
1. Pertaining to a city or state, or to a citizen in his
relations to his fellow citizens or to the state; within
the city or state.
[1913 Webster]
2. Subject to government; reduced to order; civilized; not barbarous; -- said of the community. [1913 Webster]
England was very rude and barbarous; for it is but even the other day since England grew civil. --Spenser. [1913 Webster]
3. Performing the duties of a citizen; obedient to government; -- said of an individual. [1913 Webster]
Civil men come nearer the saints of God than others; they come within a step or two of heaven. --Preston [1913 Webster]
4. Having the manners of one dwelling in a city, as opposed to those of savages or rustics; polite; courteous; complaisant; affable. [1913 Webster]
Note: ``A civil man now is one observant of slight external courtesies in the mutual intercourse between man and man; a civil man once was one who fulfilled all the duties and obligations flowing from his position as a 'civis' and his relations to the other members of that 'civitas.''' --Trench [1913 Webster]
5. Pertaining to civic life and affairs, in distinction from military, ecclesiastical, or official state. [1913 Webster]
6. Relating to rights and remedies sought by action or suit distinct from criminal proceedings. [1913 Webster]
{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}. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.