adj. 1 of or belonging to citizens. 2 of ordinary citizens and their concerns, as distinct from military or naval or ecclesiastical matters. 3 polite, obliging, not rude. 4 Law relating to civil law (see below), not criminal or political matters (civil court; civil lawyer). 5 (of the length of a day, year, etc.) fixed by custom or law, not natural or astronomical. civil aviation non-military, esp. commercial aviation. civil commotion a riot or similar disturbance. civil defence the organization and training of civilians for the protection of lives and property during and after attacks in wartime. civil disobedience the refusal to comply with certain laws or to pay taxes etc. as a peaceful form of political protest. civil engineer an engineer who designs or maintains roads, bridges, dams, etc. civil engineering this work. civil law 1 law concerning private rights (opp. criminal law). 2 hist. Roman or non-ecclesiastical law. civil libertarian an advocate of increased civil liberty. civil liberty (often in pl.) freedom of action and speech subject to the law. civil list (in the UK) an annual allowance voted by Parliament for the royal family's household expenses. civil marriage a marriage solemnized as a civil contract without religious ceremony. civil rights the rights of citizens to political and social freedom and equality. civil servant a member of the civil service. civil service the permanent professional branches of State administration, excluding military and judicial branches and elected politicians. civil state being single or married or divorced etc. civil war a war between citizens of the same country. civil year see YEAR 2. civilly adv.
[ ME f. OF f. L civilis f. civis citizen ]