Etimology
From Middle English cyvyl, civil, borrowed from Old French civil, from Latin cīvīlis (“relating to a citizen”), from cīvis (“citizen”). Cognate with Old English hīwen (“household”), hīrǣden (“family”). More at hind; hird.
adjective
civil (comparative more civil or civiler, superlative most civil or civilest)
(not comparable) Having to do with people and government office as opposed to the military or religion.
(comparable) Behaving in a reasonable or polite manner; avoiding displays of hostility.
(archaic) In a peaceful and well-ordered state.
(law) Relating to private relations among citizens, as opposed to criminal matters.
Secular.
Examples
She went into civil service because she wanted to help the people.
A third is wroth: ‘Is this an hourFor private sorrow’s barren song,When more and more the people throngThe chairs and thrones of civil power?’
Antonyms: anti-civil, impolite, inconsiderate, noncivil, rude
It was very civil of him to stop the argument.
They despise each other, but they are always civil in public.
Herein thou haſt done good ſeruice to thy country:VVere all inhumaine ſlaues ſo ſerued as he,England would be ciuill, and from all ſuch dealings free.
a civil case
As if our Saviour had said, No man can enter into heaven except he be born again; so as he speaketh not only of notorious Sinners, as Adulterers, Drunkards, Swearers, & c. but of all who are in their natural condition, tho' they live never so unblameably, free from scandalous sins, if they be not born again, their civil Righteousness will do them little good, for they shall never see the Kingdom of God.
The word from which "evil" in Romans 13.4 is translated means "generally opposed to civil goodness or virtue, in a commonwealth, and not to spiritual good, or religion, in the church.
Some grammarians explain this passage as referring to a civil sanctity, in respect of the children being reckoned legitimate, but in this respect the condition of unbelievers is in no degree worse.
Related words
related terms
civic
civilization