I. sə̇ˈvilyən noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from civile civil law (from Latin, short for jus civile ) + -ian
1.
a. : one who practices or has made a special study of the Roman or modern civil law especially as distinguished from the canon law and the English common law
b. : one especially skilled in or devoted to the law affecting civil rights and remedies
2. : an employee in the former imperial civil service of India
3.
a. : a resident of a country who is not on active duty in one of the armed services
b. : a resident not an active member of a police or fire-fighting force organized with ranks like military ranks
4. civilians plural : civvies
II. adjective
1.
a. : made up of civilians
the civilian population
b. : belonging to or issuing from the aggregate body of civilians
civilian customers
civilian demands
: peculiar to civilians
civilian habits of mind
c. : having the status of a civilian
a civilian pilot
2.
a. : operated or controlled by civilians
civilian industry
: possessed by or vested in civilians
civilian authority
b. : undergone or sustained by civilians
civilian sacrifices
3.
a. : intended or allotted for use or consumption by civilians
civilian goods
b. : suitable for civilians
III. noun
: a person who does not belong to a particular group : outsider
especially effective with the civilians —TV-speak for non-showbiz types — Jack Friedman