Civility

//sɪˈvɪl.ɪ.ti// noun

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    Speech or behaviour that is fit for civil interactions; politeness, courtesy. countable, uncountable

    "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 Majeſty's Commiſſion."

  2. 2
    the act of showing regard for others wordnet
  3. 3
    An individual act or expression of polite behaviour; a courtesy. countable, in-plural, uncountable

    "Mr Lovelace received from every one those civilities which were due to his birth […]"

  4. 4
    formal or perfunctory politeness wordnet
  5. 5
    The state or fact of being civilized; civilization. archaic, countable, uncountable

    "Monarchies have risen from barbarism to civility, and fallen again to ruin."

Show 1 more definition
  1. 6
    A civil office; a civil capacity. countable, obsolete, uncountable

    "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."

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin civilitas: compare French civilité. English equivalent civil + -ity.

Next best steps

Mini challenge

Unscramble this word: civility