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DictionaryRoot: civis
Latin

civis

citizen or fellow member of a community

Forms

  • civis
  • civ- — Used before other endings.

Origin

An inherited Latin social word whose exact deeper development is debated.

Note

Its concern is membership in a civic community, not just residence in a particular place.

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adjective

civil

Relating to citizens' rights and public affairs.

The Constitution protects civil rights and limits the government's power.

Etymology
civLatincitizen or fellow member of a community
+ilLatinable or suitable to be; connected with

Latin civis means citizen, and the ending makes an adjective. Civil concerns people as members of a public community, including their rights and shared affairs.

More examples

  • She takes a civil service exam to qualify for government jobs.
  • The neighbors settle their property dispute in a civil court.
  • The same incident can lead to both civil and criminal cases.

Forms

civil

Similar words

civic
Emphasizes citizenship duties and participation, especially in local communities.
public
More broadly concerns the community, government, or access for everyone.