Civilities

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Civility \Ci*vil"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Civilities}. [L. civilitas: cf.
     F. civilit['e]. See {Civil}.]
     1. The state of society in which the relations and duties of
        a citizen are recognized and obeyed; a state of
        civilization. [Obs.]
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              Monarchies have risen from barbarrism to civility,
              and fallen again to ruin.             --Sir J.
                                                    Davies.
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              The gradual depature of all deeper signification
              from the word civility has obliged the creation of
              another word -- civilization.         --Trench.
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     2. A civil office, or a civil process [Obs.]
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              To serve in a civility.               --Latimer.
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     3. Courtesy; politeness; kind attention; good breeding; a
        polite act or expression.
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              The insolent civility of a proud man is, if
              possible, more shocking than his rudeness could be.
                                                    --Chesterfield.
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              The sweet civilities of life.         --Dryden.
  
     Syn: Urbanity; affability; complaisance.
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