[cit.i.zen] n [ME citizein, fr. AF citezein, alter. of OF citeien, fr. cite city] (14c) 1: an inhabitant of a city or town; esp: one entitled to the rights and privileges of a freeman
2. a: a member of a state b: a native or naturalized person who owes allegiance to a government and is entitled to protection from it
3: a civilian as distinguished from a specialized servant of the state -- cit.i.zen.ly adj syn citizen, subject, national mean a person owing allegiance to and entitled to the protection of a sovereign state. citizen is preferred for one owing allegiance to a state in which sovereign power is retained by the people and sharing in the political rights of those people "the rights of a free citizen". subject implies allegiance to a personal sovereign such as a monarch "the king's subjects". national designates one who may claim the protection of a state and applies esp. to one living or traveling outside that state "American nationals working in the Middle East".