civil
Definitions
Relating to ordinary citizens and their affairs, as opposed to the military, the church, or the criminal courts
公民的；国内的；（相对于军事/宗教/刑事的）民事的
Polite and courteous, especially in a formal or restrained way
彬彬有礼的，文明礼貌的
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedFrom Latin civilis 'of citizens.' The first meaning is straight from the root: matters of citizens, not soldiers or priests — civil law, civil rights, civil war, civil servant. The second meaning drifted: citizens living together were expected to behave decently, so civil also came to mean 'polite.'
Root civ still carries 9 more wordsWhy It Means This
Civil carries two meanings that look unrelated but spring from one root. From 'of citizens (not military or religious)' come civil law, civil rights, civil war, civil servant, civil engineering. But because citizens sharing a community were expected to treat each other decently, civil also slid into meaning 'polite.' Both senses are really the same question: how do citizens deal with one another — by law, or by good manners? That second sense is the parent of civility.
Usage Guide
- 'civil' (legal/citizen sense) appears in fixed terms: civil law, civil rights, civil war, civil service, civil engineering, civil liberties.
- 'civil' (polite sense) is restrained, not warm — 'be civil' means 'be minimally polite,' not 'be friendly.'
- Don't confuse civil engineering (building roads/bridges) with the legal sense; here 'civil' just means 'for ordinary public use,' not military.
Example Sentences
- 1.
The dispute was settled in a civil court, not a criminal one.
- 2.
The American Civil War lasted from 1861 to 1865.
- 3.
They disagreed completely but managed to stay civil to each other.
- 4.
Please keep the discussion civil and avoid personal attacks.
Easily Confused
civil vs polite vs courteous — civil is the coldest: it means just barely decent, often through gritted teeth ('they stayed civil'). polite is the everyday neutral term. courteous is warmer and more old-fashioned, implying genuine consideration. If someone is 'civil' to you, they are not being friendly — just not rude.