always used before a noun:of or relating to the regular business of the people in a city, town, state, etc.:not connected to the military or to a religion普通公民的(非军事的或宗教的);民间的;平民的
They got married in a civil ceremony at city hall.他们是按照世俗婚礼的仪式在市政厅结的婚。
civil institutions民间机构
3
not used before a noun, [more civil; most civil]:polite but not friendly:only as polite as a person needs to be in order to not be rude有礼貌;客气;有教养
It was hard to be civil when I felt so angry.我当时那么生气,很难做到彬彬有礼。
: relating to private rights and to remedies sought by action or suit distinct from criminal proceedings
c
: established by law
civil freedoms
4
: of, relating to, or involving the general public, their activities, needs, or ways, or civic affairs as distinguished from special (such as military or religious) affairs
got married in a civil ceremony
5
of time: based on the theoretical mean sun and legally recognized for use in ordinary affairs
the civil calendar
Esoteric and sometimes outlandish balloons were floated: If we're not going to worry about civil time matching solar time, for instance, why not simplify global timekeeping even more by reducing the number of global time zones from twenty-four to five? Michelle Stacey
civil often suggests little more than the avoidance of overt rudeness.
owed the questioner a civil reply
polite commonly implies polish of speech and manners and sometimes suggests an absence of cordiality.
if you can't be pleasant, at least be polite
courteous implies more actively considerate or dignified politeness.
clerks who were unfailingly courteous to customers
gallant and chivalrous imply courteous attentiveness especially to women.
gallant suggests spirited and dashing behavior and ornate expressions of courtesy.
a gallant suitor of the old school
chivalrous suggests high-minded and self-sacrificing behavior.
a chivalrous display of duty
Example Sentences
They got married in a civil ceremony at city hall. It was hard to be civil when I felt so angry. She was barely civil to me.
Recent Examples on the WebThose are independent civil-society organizations with no ties to specific states. Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 13 Sep. 2022 But the unity between pro-independence political parties and the civil society groups that led the October 2017 independence push, which received no international support and was quickly quashed, is in danger of falling apart. Joseph Wilson, ajc, 11 Sep. 2022 This was the first step in a fight of many years to achieve justice and build a civil society. Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Sep. 2022 That led to a swell in back-channel campaigns — including letters from civil society, civilians and governments on both sides of the issue. Jamey Keaten And Edith Lederer, USA TODAY, 1 Sep. 2022 As leader, Putin has crushed the media and civil society, returned to totalitarianism, installed former KGB and other security officials in key positions, destroyed nongovernmental organizations, invaded Ukraine, and isolated Russia from the West. Mary Ilyushina, Washington Post, 31 Aug. 2022 But Gorbachev introduced competitive elections, civil society, and the rule of law. Evgeny Lebedev, Vogue, 30 Aug. 2022 The voters’ roll is also packed with the names of dead people, opposition groups and civil society groups say. Lynsey Chutel, BostonGlobe.com, 24 Aug. 2022 In the old days, our debates were about the power and responsibilities of government versus the rights and responsibilities of individuals (and communities and civil society). Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 22 Aug. 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin civilis, from civis — see civic