v.
Pronunciation: ' si-v ə - ˌ l ī z
Function: verb
Inflected Form: -lized ; -liz · ing
Date: 1601
transitive verb
1 : to cause to develop out of a primitive state especially : to bring to a technically advanced and rationally ordered stage of cultural development
2 a : EDUCATE , REFINE b : SOCIALIZE 1
intransitive verb : to acquire the customs and amenities of a civil community
– civ · i · liz · er noun